NABARD, India’s apex rural development financial institution, has provided a record development support of Rs.6,20,000 lakh to Jharkhand. During FY 2020, rural financial institutions (RFIs) in Jharkhand had availed of refinance amounting to only Rs.10,500 lakh. This increased by over 40 times and banks in Jharkhand availed of refinance amounting to Rs.4,08,139 lakh in 2023-24. The lion’s share of Rs.2,89,600 lakh was availed of by Jharkhand Rajya Gramin Bank and Jharkhand State Cooperative Bank.
NABARD also provided support to State Govt. for creation of rural infrastructure for improving irrigation, access to health, water & sanitation, education, connectivity, etc. During 2023-24, Rs.1,87,044 lakh was provided. Some of the major projects include four mega lift irrigation projects creating irrigation potential of 1,03,278 hectares of land, four dairy processing plants with total capacity of 2,50,000 litre per day, major bridges such as Dishom Guru Shibu Soren bridge on Mayurakshi river in Dumka and Mango-Dimna road-cum-bridge in Jamshedpur. Further, NABARD provided finance support of Rs. 25,000 lakh to the State Govt to fast-track the Subernrekha Multi Purpose Project, which will provide additional irrigation to 2,36,000 ha. Additionally, NABARD has supported 77 drinking water projects which will benefit people in all the 24 districts of the State.
To provide market access and facilitate input supply, NABARD has promoted 244 Farmers Producers Companies (FPCs) across the State, which will benefit about 2,00,000 farmers and increase their income by 25-30%. NABARD has onboarded 53 FPCs onto the ONDC platform to provide them access to e-Commerce.
Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) provide credit and other services to rural population. In order to strengthen these, NABARD has completed phase I of an ambitious program to computerise the operation of 1500 PACS.
As 26 per cent of the State population is tribal, NABARD has implemented 61 development projects benefitting more than 37,000 tribal families for livelihood activities including plantation of fruit orchards. Six projects have been sanctioned during 2023-24.
Conservation of soil and moisture is critical for agriculture. Recognising this, NABARD is implementing 51 watershed development projects covering 58,500 hectares and benefitting more than 50,000 families.
Recognising the importance of off-farm sector in creation of employment and enhancing the income of rural populace, NABARD has been involved in imparting new age skill to rural youth, marketing support for handicrafts, handlooms, promotion of companies of rural artisans, etc. During the year 2023-24, NABARD had organised two national level exhibitions for handloom and handicrafts products at Ranchi. It has supported construction of rural haats, rural marts and gram dukans for improving market access of primary producers for their products. NABARD has supported artisans engaged in Kuchai & Bhagaiya silk products and also is making efforts to recognise these and Atthe Mutton of Deoghar as GI tagged products. Sohrai & Kohvar painting artisans have also been encouraged through training & market exposures.
Financial & digital literacy and technology adoption are essential for rural population. During the year 2023-24, NABARD supported 11,500 financial and digital literacy camps. To promote skilling of rural youth, NABARD supported all 25 RSETIs & RUDSETI in the State with training equipment.
NABCONS, the wholly owned Consultancy subsidiary of NABARD, has provided consultancy services in all spheres of agriculture, irrigation, banking and allied areas during 2023-24.