Saying that agriculture development is impossible without availability of timely and adequate credit facility to the farming community, the Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today enjoined upon the banks and financial institutions to increase the credit-deposit ratio (CDR) to tap the vast unexploited potential in agriculture and rural development sectors.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the “State Credit Seminar for 2009-10”, organized by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) here today, the Minister said while providing timely lending facilities, financial institutions have to ensure that poor sections of farmers get due share to enable them to afford timely application of agriculture inputs which are imperative for increasing productivity. He also urged for devising a realistic strategy for planning and monitoring credit flow at ground level to dispel the notion that only rich can manage huge lendings, leaving the poor farmers high and dry.
“Provision of Kissan Credit Cards (KSS) would help to a great extent to facilitate small and marginal farmers in getting hassle-free credit facilities”, the Minister asserted, adding that formation of Farmer Clubs in every nook and corner of the State, on the the pattern of other States, would help the agri community to get proper extension service, technological know-how and credit facilities.
Eulogizing the crucial role of NABARD in J&K, the Minister said its contribution in reconstruction of ravaged and damaged infrastructure due to turmoil in the State including gutted bridges, schools and dilapidated roads, could never be forgotten. He hoped that NABARD would continue with the same zeal to come up to the expectations of the people of the State with regard to rebuilding the basic infrastructure.
Making a pointed reference towards development of Horticulture by NABARD, which provides livelihood to about 25 lakh people directly or indirectly, the Minister said need of the hour was to open Compressed Atmosphere Stores (CAS) and Cold-Chain facilities in J&K to maintain quality of the fresh fruit and enhance its shelf-life for reaching terminal mandis across the country in their garden-fresh conditions. This, he said, was imperative to withstand stiff competition in the market and get better price of the horticulture and agricultural produce. “Though there are many other potential areas also, NABARD must preferably focus on this vital infrastructure-building aspect of the rural economy”, Rather maintained.
Rather also released the “State Focus Paper 2009-10”, prepared by NABARD, and hoped that the document would help banks to fine tune their strategies to increase the flow of credit for holistic development of rural areas and also provide a roadmap to tap the available potential in the farm sector in J&K.
The Chief General Manager, NABARD, A. K. Mathur and Regional Director, RBI,. O. P. Aggarwal, also spoke on the occasion and informed that the credit potential under priority sector during 2009-10 in J&K has been projected at Rs. 2315.65 crore, which includes Rs. 536.17 crore for agriculture, Rs. 648..66 crore for non-farm sector, Rs.59.87 crore for agro and food processing sector and Rs. 12.12 crore for micro credit sector.
Mathur said the
Detailed technical presentations were also made on minor irrigation, animal husbandry, plantation and horticulture, micro-credit, non-farm sectors and rural infrastructure development in the State.
The seminar, among various Heads of the Departments and Corporations, was also attended by the Chairman, Jammu Central Cooperative Bank,. Mohinder Singh, Registrar, Cooperatives, J&K,. Mohammad Shafi Rather, Managing Director, State Agro-Industries Corporation, Dr. G. N. Qasba and Managing Director, J&K State Cooperative Bank,. Mohammad Ashraf.
Leave Your Comments