The NABARD Odisha Regional Office organised a ‘State-Level Conclave on Enhancement of Skill of FPO and SHG Members’ here on Saturday.
A total of 50 Farmers Producers Organisations (FPO) were provided the sanction letters for a credit support of Rs 6.57 crore through Nabkisan, comprising of 48 FPOs and two Off-FPOs from 21 districts of Odisha. Further, a total of Rs1.21 crore was sanctioned for various skill development interventions for 1,190 SHG members and livelihood generation initiatives like Grameen Dukan and Mobile Carts in addition to six RSETIs in the State.
Chief guest Union Minister of Education and Skill and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the need of skilling in FPOs and SHGs for effective linkage of small and marginal farmers to agricultural value chains and enhancing farm incomes. He emphasised on the initiatives of the Government of India and banks with the special focus on NABARD for extending credit to rural poor women with almost interest free loan which has made a positive impact in their financial status.
Deputy MD, NABARD, Dr Ajay Sood highlighted that NABARD has always been taking special initiatives for skill development of farmers and SHG members.
Regional Director Dr SP Mohanty, SLBC Convener Gautam Patra, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Odisha Regional Office Dr Sudhanshu KK Mishra among others also spoke.