Farmer Club as extended arm for bankers : NABARD

Chandigarh, Nov 1 (UNI) Approaching farmers through Farmers' Clubs (FCs) was cost-effective to banks for dissemination of information about their new products and the latest technology to the villagers, NABARD General Manager S.S Sangwan, said here.

Addressing a workshop on Farmers' club programme for Senior Bankers and government officials held at NABARD here, he called upon the participants from banks and government offices to use the forum of Farmers' Club as their extended arm for financial inclusion and increasing their business.

Officer- in-Charge, J K Kanojia, in his inaugural address stressed for diversification of credit support for agriculture.

This FC programme is being supported by NABARD through bank branches which organise 15-20 good borrowers in a group called Farmers' Club.

NABARD has supported 435 clubs in Punjab and 553 clubs in Haryana upto 31st October 2007. During the workshop it was explained that a banker can use the forum to inform about the ongoing credit or noncredit schemes of the banks.

Mr B S Saini GM, HARCO bank reported that the bank is maintaining 144 clubs with the help of NABARD. Besides helping farmers in issues relating to development through credit, clubs have also arranged veterinary health camps, eye camps, sanitation drives and holding campaigns against evils of dowry and excessive drinking.

Besides the Cooperative Banks, the other major banks having a number of Farmers' Clubs include SBI, PNB. OBC and Canara Bank among others.

During 2007-08 Finance Minister Govt of India has urged the banks to launch one farmer club in each bank branch and as a follow up commercial banks and RRBs are going in a big way. Mr Shiv Kumar Chief Manager, SBI Zonal office Haryana reported launching of 59 clubs during 2007-08 itself.

UNI