Chennai: Nabard, which enters its 35th year, aims at increasing financial assistance for the development of farmers, agriculture, and micro industries to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore in FY 2016-17.
“Under Nabard, several climate smart models have been implemented in the state. Now, we are focusing to provide support for handicraftsmen and weavers, provision of 100 per cent RUPAY cards, KCCs (Kisaan Credit Cards), organized watershed development programmes and e-markets,” said Nagoor A Jinnah, CGM, Nabard.
He added that farmers and rural Indians have been helped under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) amounting to Rs 16,244 crore.
Gagandeep Bedi, agriculture production commissioner, said that Nabard loans have help build 5,149 farm ponds, in dry areas of Ramnadu and Sivagangai, with an initial investment from Nabard and then further developed with assistance from MNREGS. “Seventy cold storage units, 88 godowns, and special storage facilities for bananas and vegetables have been constructed by the government of TN at a cost of Rs 304 crore. Also, 104 projects for tapping water from ravines have been undertaken in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri,” he added.
Animal husbandry sector also has not been ignored. Through Nabard funding, 1,243 vet clinics have been built in the past three years, he said. Governor of Tamil Nadu K. Rosaiah lauded efforts by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to bring about social uplift of people. “CM's solar powered greenhouse scheme and provision of free milch cows to the poor, free land to landless farmers deserve special mention,” he said.
