NABARD Chairman U C Sarangi has appreciated the role of banks, NGOs and other agencies for making self help groups touch the lives of millions in rural areas especially women and help in micro-finance programme.
Sarangi was addressing an awards programme for excellence in rural development initiatives to banks, NGOs and farmers’ bodies yesterday which was also attended by RBI Regional Director and the District Magistrate Saumitra Mohan.
Detailing NABARD's plans, Sarangi said presently the aim is to provide technical knowhow to marginal and small farmers.
"The farmers attached to bodies would be at first trained and then the trained ones will impart technical knowledge to others," Mohan said adding they will be trained in soil management, plantation management, water management and so on.
"We will ensure facilitation of credit and a credit-enabled farmer can use the amount properly," he said.
At present, the number of NABARD-affiliated farmers’ bodies in India is 36,000 but the target remains to touch the one lakh figure within the next three years.
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In five villages skirting Santiniketan in Birbhum district, NABARD was promoting rural tourism.
Among the banks, State bank of India, United bank of India and Allahabad bank received awards for highest linkage of SHG with bank credit in the state.