AP Minister greets NABARD on its foundation day

Hyderabad, July 12 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Raghuveera Reddy today congratulated NABARD for its prominent and constructive role in development of agriculture and rural areas in the state.

Speaking on the occasion of NABARD's Silver Jubilee Foundation Day function, he said the organisation had not only focussed on accelerating rural credit but also played the role of a change agent. He also lauded the role of the bank in doubling agriculture credit in the country.

He hailed the success brought out by NABARD in furtherance of agriculture and rural credit through a host of initiatives such as funding of Rural Infrastructure, micro-finance innovations, promotion of Rythu Mythra Group, Natural resource management, Potential Linked Credit Plans, boosting non-farm sector through support to Weaver, Artisan and Handicraft sector and capacity building at various levels of stakeholders in the areas of credit and non-credit services.

He said the expectations from NABARD were immense and reiterated that his government was committed to amelioration of rural distress and assured continued support.

NABARD Founder Chairman Ramakrishanayya expressed satisfaction that the organisation, he had envisaged and nurtured had lived up to the expectations of the nation in agriculture and rural development.

He recalled that the Bank was initially required to focus on refinancing banks in rural areas and was delighted that the role was expanded to the entire realm of rural development. While appreciating the need for inclusion of tenant, small and marginal farmers in the process of development, he suggested that any such innovations need to look at the aspect of aggregation of such farmers in a workable model.

UNI