Kohima, 5 March (MTNews): Governor of Nagaland La Ganesan stated today that the hardworking farmers of the state tirelessly contribute to the nation’s food security and participate actively in the pursuit of agricultural innovation and sustainability. By empowering the farmers with credit facilities tailored to their unique needs, he added that everyone should facilitate a broader socio-economic upliftment of the rural areas.
The Governor said this while speaking at the State Credit Seminar organized by NABARD at Hotel de Oriental Grand, Kohima on 5 March 2024 as the special guest. The Governor also flagged-off a mobile van sponsored under NABARD’s Rural Mart Scheme.
The Governor underscored that accessible and affordable credit not only boosts agricultural output but also supports secondary activities and enterprises that form rural economic webs.
The Governor impressed upon the NABARD to set the right and realistic targets as per RBI guidelines and in consultation with the Government of Nagaland.
The Governor appreciated the NABARD’s initiatives in supporting credit flow in sectors such as infrastructure, self-help groups, joint liability groups, farmers’ clubs and called upon NABARD, other banks and financial institutions to work hand in hand with the state government to innovate solutions, customize credit products, and to resolve to foster an enabling environment for the financial empowerment of our agrarian and rural sectors.
NABARD dedicated to sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity
CGM/OIC, NABARD Tiakala said that since its inception in 1982, NABARD has been dedicated to fostering sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity through credit support, institutional development, and innovative initiatives and added that today, their scope encompasses Consultancy, Venture Capital funding to Start Ups, Green Financing, social infrastructure and other key domains in the rural ecosystem.
She urged everyone that it is important to find solutions to many of the contemporary challenges facing the agriculture sector through innovative approaches and stressed that there is also a growing recognition of the need to diversify beyond agriculture to promote more sustainable and inclusive growth. Sectors like tourism, horticulture, handloom and handicraft and the MSME sector provide tremendous scope to harness the state’s potential, she said. In this context, the CGM drew attention to the State Government on the role Banks can play in driving development in the state.
CGM Tiakala apprised that, to strengthen the initiatives of the State Government Departments, NABARD has committed over Rs 90 crore during FY 2023-24 under various funds for infrastructure, investment and refinance as well as for developmental and promotional activities. She also sought the continued support of the Government of Nagaland.
Principal Secretary, Department of Finance, GoN Taliremba highlighted the achievement of various agricultural-allied sectors and its targets. He also urged the officials to see the banking landscape and also encouraged them to try to bring banking networks in the state.
During the program, the Governor also launched the State Focus Paper 2024-25 and released a short film on Rural Haats. He also felicitated the best performing SHGs/JLGs and banks and also handed over sanctioned letters of NABARD sponsored projects.
Others who spoke during the program included Convenor, SLBG Nagaland Surabh Bhattacharjee; GM/OIC, RBI Nagaland Paresh Chauhan; Soyhun Tep, Vice Chairman Zunpha MPCS Ltd. under Tseminyu District; and Senior program officer Nagato Aye who spoke on the Watershed Development Project.
The program was attended by senior level functionaries from the State Government, various bank officials, representatives from development agencies, NGOs and others.