NABCONS, a consultancy organisation of NABARD, continued its strides during 2012-13 in development of rural areas of the State by successfully implementing a number of projects in diversified areas.
The firm has participated in the district forestry sector development project as Income Generation Activity Support Agency (IGASA) in Rourkela and Bonai forestry divisions.
It has attained expertise in the area of warehouse development and accreditations and has done a commendable job in educating the general public, entrepreneurs and the banks on guidelines relating to warehouses for scientific storage systems and Negotiable Warehousing Receipts System recently introduced by the Centre and the accreditation of warehouses.
Recognising the expertise, the WDRA has notified the NABCONS as the Warehouse Accreditation Agency on their behalf for Odisha.
NABCONS is working with the State Cooperation Department for preparation of Detail Project Reports (DPRs) for construction of such warehouses in 102 Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS).
Such DPRs for WDRA-compliant warehouses will be prepared additionally for about 450 PACS, which would help create a substantially large capacity of scientific storage of the food grains in the State. NABCONS has undertaken a study on development of PACS and evolved computer-based tools for their viability analysis and business planning. This is expected to help the cooperatives to strengthen their functions and ability to serve the farmer members.
It has associated with the Planning and Coordination Department for preparation of Comprehensive Development Plans (CDPS) for agriculture sector in Jajpur and Bhadrak.
NABCONS is providing consultancy to corporate sector as well for the purpose of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) functions.
It has undertaken an impact assessment study on rehabilitation and resettlement of land losers affected by establishment of Jindal Steel and Power limited.
For the Rourkela Steel Plant also, NABCONS has prepared a report on impact assessment of their CSR activities. Various other corporate houses are in dialogue with it for formulation of their CSR policies.
NABCONS will be supporting various State departments for capacity building and training of staff as well as their clients. Special focus is being given on the income generating activities of SHGs.
NABCONS has expertise in individual project preparation for agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries etc as well and has undertaken initial work on feasibility of drinking water supply projects in coastal districts of the State.
With more and more collaborations with the State institutions, NGOs and other consultancy organisations, NABCONS has overshot its business targets as much as by 147 per cent in State.