The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Odisha Regional Office, Bhubaneswar, held its 41st foundation day here on Tuesday.
Highlighting the achievements of the bank in recent years, Chief
General Manager C Udayabhaskar said as a major partner of the Government of Odisha, the NABARD has extended financial support to the State Government, banks and corporations worth Rs 31,786 crore in
2021-22.
He indicated that the thrust areas for 2022-23 are remunerative activities beyond paddy cultivation, FPOs, developing micro entrepreneurs of successful SHG women, doubling of bank credit to the SHGs, doubling of farmer’s income, climate change and promotion of handloom and handicraft OFPOs.
Chief guest State Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari said that NABARD
through its initiatives like Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Watershed Development Fund (WDF), Self Help Group – Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP) and others was complimenting the developmental initiatives of the State Government.
State Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap
Swain stated that the State Government has been implementing various
schemes like BALARAM, KALIA, SAMRUDHI, Millet Mission and FPOs etc. It’s time for banks to increase the credit flow for private capital formation substantially, he added.
Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner PK Jena
highlighted that the rural connectivity has been promoted through
construction of bridges and roads under the RIDF.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Regional Director HN Panda spoke about the importance of financial inclusion and appreciated NABARD for
supporting banks for setting up of Financial Literacy Centers.
Among others, Agriculture Production Commissioner Sanjeev Chopra,
Panchayati Raj Principal Secretary AK Meena and SLBC convenor Goutam Patra spoke.
A coffee table book “Reflections 2021-22”, highlighting major
achievements of NABARD in Odisha during 2021-22 and a video showcasing “40 years of NABARD in Odisha” were released on the occasion.