The Madhya Pradesh government has urged National Bank for Rural and Agriculture Development (Nabard) to arrest fall in livestock population, support organic farming and cottage industry on priority basis besides extending more credit to farmers to make agriculture a profitable business. Nabard, which has estimated Rs 22,833 crore credit potential in the state for 2010-11, with various development activities including agriculture, irrigation and infrastructure has not included MP’s top priority – organic farming.
“If bankers and refinance institutions like Nabard come forward to support the priority sectors and focus on making rural areas producing centres rather than making consuming points, the economic scene would be better,” Finance Minister Raghavji said.
Under its ‘State Focus’ released today to gauge credit potential in various sectors, Nabard has estimated Rs 16,509.83 crore credit potential for agriculture and allied activities. It also include short- term credit for production and marketing (crop loan) to the tune of Rs 13,151.52 crore, investment credit for agriculture and allied activities Rs 3,358.30 crore.
