In order to increase productivity and incomes of farmers through adoption of new technologies and establishment of linkages with markets (both domestic and global) and banks, Haryana Regional Office of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is taking up two pilot projects in Jind and Ambala districts under the Farmers Technology Transfer Fund (FTTF). Initially, farmers in these two districts would be trained about the latest technology in farming and non-farming activities, marketing and linking themselves with banks.
Speaking to Business Standard, Nabard General Manager Kanwar P Chand said, “We are undertaking two pilot projects in the two districts, through Punjab National Bank and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, in Haryana under the FTTF scheme. We have given in-principle approval to Punjab National Bank, which is going to implement the programme in Jind district through its Farmers training centre at Sacha Khera (Jind). While the other proposal by Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Ambala being run by Hissar Agricultural University is under process. Under the programme we would train the farmers on technology transfer which includes farming and non farming activity including animal husbandry, marketing and banking”.
Under the FTTF scheme, these two executing agencies will initially train 20-25 farmers each from their districts in the field of technology transfer including farm and non-farm activities, marketing skills and about linking farmers with banks. After undergoing training, these farmers will become master trainers. Each master trainers in turn will impart training and knowledge through farmers club to 20 farmers in their respective district. Thus, according to the scheme, around 400 farmers would be trained in the first phase in each district.
The trained farmers will then impart training and knowledge to their fellow farmers either free of cost or by charging nominal fee about awareness related to banking, farm and non-farm sector including animal husbandry, agro-processing .
According to the Nabard officials the challenges before us is how to increase production/productivity and income earning of farming communities through adoption of new and appropriate technologies and establishment of linkages with markets (both domestic as well as global). Already we have facilitated formation of about 57,000 farmers’ clubs spread across the country with the support of commercial banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks. Their key role relates to the dissemination of locally appropriate technology, skills development for enhancing production and productivity in rural areas, formation of self help groups and linkages with banks, credit counselling, recovery of loans, and more.