‘Converging watershed projects with MNREGS top priority of Nabard’

Addressing the media in the city on Monday,Nabard’s chief general manager M V Ashok said that NGOs will be sensitised by Nabard on effective management of MNREGS funds in the area of watershed development by involving the state water resource department.

“The convergence of watershed development projects with MNREGS will serve as one of the long-term solution to tackle possible drought situation in the state. To address the issue,we will organise workshops with around 30 NGOs soon,” he said.

On setting up of godowns and warehouses in rural areas,he said that agricultural credit societies and producers’ organisation will be encouraged to enhance the available storage space in villages.

“We are in the process of certifying godowns and warehouses across the state. Around 50 such certified storage capacities will be developed soon. The initiative is a part of the Centre’s policy to overcome the deficit of storage spaces in the country,” he said.

Ashok said farmers using the certified godowns and warehouses will be entitled to avail subsidised loan services provided by the government. Dissemination of weather and crop advisory services to farmers,issuing kisan credit cards,providing mobile banking service,promotion of dairy development and support to producers’ organisation top the priority list for Nabard,he added.

Nabard’s achievements

Financial support of Rs 7,348.39 crore was provided to develop agriculture and rural areas in Maharashtra,registering a growth of 22 per cent over the previous fiscal.

Supported co-operative banks and regional rural banks with Rs 4,936.92 crore to disburse crop loans to farmers,showing a growth of 22.33 per cent.

Disbursement of loan under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund to the state government stood at Rs 685.27 crore for sanctioned projects covering irrigation,rural connectivity,rural drinking water and watershed development among others.

Facilitating Core Banking Solution project in 11 district cooperative credit banks in Maharashtra.