PANAJI
The government has initiated efforts to boost agriculture by extending infrastructural and financial support to farmers in the state said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after inaugurating a one day State Credit Seminar on “Collectivization of Agricultural Produce for Enhancing Farmers Income” held at Campal in the city on Tuesday.
The State Focus Paper has projected a credit potential of Rs 6,600 crore for the year 2021-22 under priority sector.
The Chief Minister said NABARD is playing an important role in partnering with the government by providing financial support for various developmental projects in the State.
He said if Goa wants to become self-reliant then special focus would have to be given on the agricultural sector and farmers need to adopt modern technology in this endeavour.
The Chief Minister urged the people to purchase the produce of fellow Goans to take a stand on vocal for local which will help him to be self-reliant. He also appealed to bankers and other financial institutions to guide and help the Goan farmers, manufacturers in their ventures to become self-reliant and to make Goa Swayampurna.
The Chief Minister appreciated NABARD for their endeavour to organize a seminar with the help of other stakeholders in the interest of the state.
The General Manager NABARD Goa Region Usha Ramesh in her address said that NABARD supports Government Departments, ICAR, BITS-Pilani Goa, Banks, Government Schools and NGOs for various development activities related to farm or nonfarm sector. It also helps in financial literacy and attracting rural youth to agriculture. Under E-Shakti project NABARD will enable bankers and other developmental functionaries to help Self Help Groups in promoting economic activities, thereby making them self-reliant.
She also informed that NABARD is actively involved and associated with the task of making Swayampurna Goa.
The PowerPoint presentation on State Focus Paper given by Sushant Naik, Manager NABARD, through which he enlightened participants about various initiatives which would be taken up in future in sectors like irrigation, fishing, Agri marketing, encouraging farm producers organizations, Rural Marts and promotion of Kunbi Handlooms in the course of the time.
General Manager Reserve Bank of India N J Nampoothiri and General Manager State Bank of India Sukhavinder Kau also spoke on the occasion. Deputy General Manager NABARD Vasant Sawardekar welcomed the guests. Nitin Chaugule, Manager NABARD compered the function, while Ajay Naik proposed the vote of thanks.
