Nabard disburses Rs 731.23 cr to Assam in 2015-16

Nabard has disbursed Rs 731.23 crore to Assam during 2015-16 with major focus area being agri- infrastructure with a share of 65 per cent followed by rural connectivity at 35 per cent.
Nabard was committed to its support to create rural infrastructure and sanctioned Rs 602.36 crore to the state government and released Rs 394.06 crore -- the highest ever disbursement under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund till date in Assam, Nabard Chief General Manager S Natarajan said here today.
Nabard, under refinance, disbursed Rs 65.94 crore to state cooperative Bank and RRBs towards Short Term Seasonal Agricultural Operations.
Banking plans were prepared for dairy in 17 districts and piggery development in one district to enhance bank credit flow to these sectors, Natarajan said.

Nabard promoted 34 Farmers Producers Organizations [FPOs] in the state under PRODUCE Fund, set up by the Centre with Nabard, with financial assistance of Rs 304.59 lakh during 2015-16.
Three projects involving financial assistance of Rs 75.59 lakh have also been sanctioned under Umbrella Programme for Natural Resource Management for providing sustainable livelihood support to 120 beneficiaries.

Under New Business Initiatives, Nabard sanctioned Rs 11 lakh to Bholaguri Satra Samabai Samitee Ltd, PACS from Nagaon for lending to member SHGs for taking up farm and non-farm activities.
Another PACS from Nalbari Pub Upper Barbhag Bahumukhi Samabay Samitee Ltd, has been supported with Rs 12 lakh to set up a rice and spice mill.

Nabard organised 20 Capacity Building for Adoption of Technology (CAT) exposure visits to 505 members of Farmers Clubs to provide exposure to new technological interventions.
Around 50,000 farmers have also been organised into 9,750 Joint Liability Groups [JLGs] and credit linked with banks, Natarajan added.
Besides, Nabard actively supported banks in conduct of 3,250 village level awareness programmes to promote SHG-Bank linkage.
Nabard also sanctioned Rs 18.32 lakh for setting up of Weaving and Crafts Centre and development of handloom clusters to promote the weavers community.
Nabard also facilitated release of subsidy of Rs 32.92 crore under various government sponsored schemes.

NABCONS, the consultancy arm of Nabard, is facilitating the state government in preparation of Detailed Project Reports for installation of one lakh shallow tube wells, establishment of Village Knowledge Centres, infrastructure development of rural markets, solar irrigation pumpsets, soil testing and quality control labs, he said.