The Hindu Business Line : Nabard to carry out `drought-proofing' in Kerala

THE National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is keen to share innovative `drought-proofing' experience, technology and expertise in Kerala, according to Mr B.S. Shekhawat, Chief General Manager, Kerala.

Briefing newspersons here on the performance of the apex agricultural and rural development bank during 2003-04, Mr Shekhawat said Nabard has been associated with drought-proofing experiments in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

The Nabard State Focus Paper 2004-05 has identified conservation of soil and water as a thrust area in the agriculture sector. Coordinated effort of all agencies/departments and banks is required for addressing the issues related to the problem, he added.

The 83rd meeting of the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) held earlier this week had suggested the coordination of a core committee for formulating area-specific schemes for drought-proofing.

The apex bank will also provide support to the State Government for infrastructure development and to banks for investment credit under its concessional rates of interest. Priority will be accorded to watershed and irrigation projects in rural areas.

Regional and rural banks will be provided with support to create a competent and cost-effective rural credit delivery system. Suitable schemes have been drawn up in the rural non-farm sector and micro finance sector as well.

Outstanding credit disbursed as of March 31 stood at Rs 1,460 crore in investment credit to banks, Rs 495 crore in infrastructure support to State Government and Rs 199 crore in production credit to banks.

Promotional grant provided amounted to Rs 28 lakh in the non-farm sector, Rs 21 lakh to self-help groups and Rs 5 lakh to Farmers Clubs. The 264 such clubs promoted under the Vikas Volunteer Vahini (VVV) programme acts as effective platforms and meeting points for bankers, borrowers and Government agencies.

Total disbursement to the State Government under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) amounted to Rs 694.09 crore. The RIDF has since been replaced by the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Fund envisaging a corpus of Rs 50,000 crore for agriculture development in the country.

Total credit linkage under the self-help group scheme numbered 34,552 at the end of March 31, 2004. Cumulative refinance has toted up to Rs 94 crore. The total number of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) issued was 16.5 lakh.

More Stories on : Natural Calamities | Agricultural Institutions | Kerala

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