The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) disbursed Rs 31,786 crore in Odisha during the financial year ended March 31, 2022, an increase of 40% over the preceding year 2020-21.
The financial support comprised of Rs 14,077 crore to banks for lending towards crop loans as well as term loans in the State and Rs 3,031 crore to the State Government under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for creating infrastructure in rural areas.
It disbursed Rs 14,485 crore for supporting paddy procurement operations in the State during the year 2021-22 and provided special liquidity facility (SLF) of Rs 1,250 crore to address liquidity problems faced by banks due to the pandemic.
During the financial year 2021-22 it has sanctioned fresh RIDF assistance of Rs 4, 013 crore (24% higher than last year) for construction of 243 new rural roads, 263 bridges, 1 medium irrigation project, 9,836 minor irrigation projects, six flood protection and nine rural drinking water projects in the State.
The drinking water projects are expected to provide clean and safe drinking water to 17 lakh rural population across the State. The support under RIDF to Odisha is the highest in the country.
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The NABARD is implementing 69 tribal development projects supporting horticulture-based livelihoods in 46,000 acres benefitting more than 50, 000 tribal families in 24 districts.
So far, it has promoted 325 FPOs, which has benefitted 1.30 lakh farmers. While the FPOs support the requirements of farmers, OFPOs are being formed for integrated development of rural craftsmen and weavers. Further, skill training and livelihood promotion support to SHG women were continued.
“In order to improve marketing avenues for rural products, NABARD supported infrastructure in form of rural Haats, sales outlets for SHG products, Gramin Dukaan, etc, apart from supporting for participation in exhibitions etc.,” said Chief General Manager NABARD C Udayabhaskar.