The Odisha Regional Office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated the bank’s 31st Foundation Day here on Friday, reiterating its commitment to rural prosperity of the State.
Minister of Agriculture, Fishery and Animal Resources Development Debi Prasad Mishra, who was the chief guest at the function, appreciated the NABARD’s continuous support and active involvement in the development of the State’s rural sectors.
“NABARD has contributed in many ways by supporting the State in enhancing irrigation and rural connectivity under the RIDF, through the SHG bank linkage programme which has empowered rural women over the years and through cluster approaches for financing which is of immense help for small and marginal farmers,” he said.
The NABARD as the nodal agency has been successful in coordinating with the banking sector and cooperative sector for boosting agricultural investments in the State, Mishra remarked. “For development of nearly 70 per cent of the workforce dependent on agriculture, the State Government in coordination with the NABARD has taken many big steps, but we have a long way to go,” he observed.
Nabakrushana Choudhury Centre for Development Studies Director Prof Raj Kishor Panda, Deputy Director General, Doordarshan Kendra, Bhubaneswar Jayanti Rath and former NABARD Executive Director SK Mitra also addressed the delegates. General Manager & Officer-in-Charge, NABARD Odisha Regional Office BM Pattnaik presided over the meeting.
The NABARD was established by the Government of India on July 12, 1982 with a view to promoting integrated rural development and securing prosperity of rural areas. Keeping the farmers in focus, the NABARD has endeavoured for a qualitative change in the life of rural masses through its wide spectrum interventions.