GUWAHATI, Nov 7 - The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has stressed the need to sustain tribal livelihood during the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and opined that the banking sector has a significant role of providing buffer support at this hour to rural people so that they can cope with the challenges thrown by time.
Speaking at a credit camp held at Khatomari, Amri Block of West Karbi Anglong on Thursday, SS Saha, CGM, NABARD regional office, Assam, said that credit linkage under the prevailing circumstances would help the rural people develop their economic activities that have received a setback. �It is a positive development that prominent banks are coming forward to provide credit to farmers at this hour. The pandemic situation has brought many challenges for the farmers who are trying their level best to keep the economic activities afloat,� he said.
This credit camp was held at a NABARD-supported cluster where NGO Kalong-Kapili is implementing an Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP) covering 350 households from 11 villages since 2018. Best practices popularised in the area are primarily in the form of areca nut and orange cultivation, and inter-crops introduced are pineapple and turmeric. Apart from capacity building, health, women empowerment, community programmes, this ITDP has also stood out as a convergence of social security schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for the beneficiaries.
A hundred farmers and 30 women Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be availing this institutional credit facility being extended by the Assam Gramin Vikash Bank (AGVB) in the form of KCC with maximum limit to the tune of Rs 1 lakh. KCC sanction letters were handed to the beneficiaries present on the occasion.
AGVB chairman Upendra Sabar said the bank is committed to serve the rural masses by bringing inclusive banking to their doorsteps. �We have the largest network of branches in rural Assam which is a big advantage for us to contribute towards development of rural economy,� he said.
P Bulte, DDM, NABARD, West Karbi Anglong; MAC Prabhat Ch Taru, Dr Subal Maibongsha, principal scientist cum head of KVK, Diphu; RK Sarma, chief manager, AGVB head office, were among those who attended the programme.
