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Following a field visit to two model watershed projects in Nilakottai in Dindigul district, bankers see scope for business in rain-fed areas.
They had visited Kombaipatti and Sivagnanapuram watershed projects, promoted by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), as part of a three-day awareness programme on post watershed approaches for bankers. This was organised by NABARD for seeking extension of credit for opportunities that have emerged, both for farm and non-farm/allied activities.
At a meet here bankers admitted that they were not aware and were ignorant about the concepts and projects. The participant-bankers while sharing their experiences, praised NABARD for the manner in which watershed projects have been promoted.
Investment areas
They said that they saw more greenery, farm ponds brimming with water, employment opportunities, change in cropping pattern, rejuvenated ground water, return of migrant villagers etc. They listed dairying, production of vermin compost, apiculture, fodder cultivation, seed production, farm implements service centres, rural godowns etc having scope for investment.
They resolved to work through village watershed committees, farmers' clubs, joint liability groups etc. for implementing various schemes for the promotion of the rain-fed areas.
Banks and watershed
Mr M. Kathiresan, General Manager, Zonal Office, Indian Bank, Madurai. said that watershed in rain- fed areas is a community development programme and banks can safely invest in them to sustain and expand their activities, moving away from softer loans. Every rural banker should adopt a watershed and work seriously in the creation of the much needed capital formation in agriculture, he urged.
The annual credit plan for districts envisaged adequate allocation of funds for the development of villages and bankers should ensure adequate disbursal of credit to promote development in rain-fed areas, added Mr K.N. Subramanain, Lead Bank Manager, Canara Bank, Madurai.
Mr R. Srinivasan, DGM, Regional Training Centre, Mangalore, was the faculty for the programme and Mr S. Natarajan, DGM, Watershed Project Unit, NABARD, Madurai, guided the deliberations during the programme. Branch Managers/officers of commercial banks, regional rural banks and co-operatives from six southern districts participated.
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