NABARD sees credit potential of ₹4.46 lakh crore for Karnataka in FY26
Speaking at NABARD's 44th Foundation Day event held here, he said NABARD's total business operations, since its inception, in the State reached an all-time high of ₹27,846 crore, which included ₹21,442 crore in refinance assistance to banks and cooperative institutions, ₹4,974 crore in infrastructure finance to the State government, and ₹1,431 crore in direct refinance to district central cooperative banks.
According to him, this year, ₹4,500 crore was sanctioned to the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board for developing industrial parks in the State, which are expected to generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for nearly 60,000 rural youth and women.
Elaborating on NABARD's digital outreach and financial inclusion efforts, he said, over 4,200 micro-ATMs were deployed to enhance last-mile banking access. Some ₹3.08 crore was sanctioned to the Karnataka Gramin Bank to develop connectivity infrastructure in underserved areas.
NABARD released a booklet titled 'Success Stories of FPOs in Karnataka', which documented the inspiring journeys of farmer-producer organisations across the State. The booklet showcases how small and marginal farmers have successfully come together to access markets, add value to their produce, embrace digital platforms, and establish inclusive and resilient business models.
NABARD has played a key role in supporting sustainable agriculture, developing secondary agriculture, creating value addition and in the development of rural infrastructure in Karnataka, acknowledged Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, she urged farmers in the State to make full use of NABARD's schemes and become entrepreneurs.
Elaborating on value addition, the Chief Secretary said, instead of selling mangoes as raw produce, farmers should process them into various products and sell them. Recently, the price of Totapuri mango variety crashed, and if mango farmers set up small processing units in their villages, they would be able to earn income round the year, she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Gujarat approves action plan for Artificial Intelligence implementation in governance
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the Action Plan for Implementation of Artificial Intelligence [AI] (2025–2030), setting the stage for the integration of AI into Gujarat's governance framework over the next five years. The plan aims to improve service delivery, strengthen administrative processes, and apply AI tools in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance. This move aligns with the broader goals of Viksit Gujarat@2047 and the national mission of Viksit Bharat@2047, officials said. Prepared by the Department of Science and Technology based on recommendations from a 10-member AI Taskforce Committee, the plan will serve as a roadmap to equip government departments with AI systems and capabilities. It also supports the Centre's broader objective, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to expand the use of artificial intelligence in public policy, administration, and digital infrastructure. The State's action plan focuses on six major areas: building a secure and regulation-compliant data ecosystem; expanding GPU and cloud-based digital infrastructure, including setting up AI factories in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities; training 2.5 lakh individuals—students, MSMEs, and government officials—in AI, machine learning, and related technologies; promoting research and partnerships between academia and industry for building practical government-use AI models; supporting DeepTech startups with incubation, mentorship, and funding; and ensuring safe and responsible AI through audit systems, guidelines, and risk protocols. Implementation will be carried out in phases, starting with the creation of a State-level AI data repository, setting up AI development facilities, and launching pilot projects in selected departments. To oversee the entire effort, the Government will establish a dedicated AI and Deep Tech Mission. This institutional mechanism will lead the design, planning, and monitoring of AI projects while facilitating collaboration between academic institutions, industry players, and startups. Gujarat has already taken steps to strengthen its AI foundation, including the launch of an AI Centre of Excellence at GIFT City, the organisation of AI training programmes for public officials, and the issuance of an Expression of Interest for developing Indian language-based AI models. The state has also conducted an AI Innovation Challenge to encourage practical solutions.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
₹26 crore allotted for Virudhunagar district under Agricultural Infrastructure Financing Facility
The district administration has invited applications from interested persons for establishing post-harvest management infrastructure in Virudhunagar district. In a statement, Collector N. O. Sukhaputra said a total of ₹26 crore had been allotted for Virudhunagar district under Agricultural Infrastructure Financing Facility. The scheme would be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business. The beneficiary could get a maximum of ₹2 crore loan under the scheme for a term of seven years. An interest subvention of 3% would be given to beneficiaries. Under the scheme, godowns and silos, transport facilities, processing units and facilities for ripening fruits in scientific ways could be set up. Besides, facilities for production of organic inputs, infrastructure for modern and precision farming and creating of region-wise crop cluster for export could be created. Primary agricultural cooperative societies, cooperative credit societies, farmers producers organisations, self-help groups for women, individual farmers could be the beneficiaries. The facilities would help storage of food grains without any loss and help to sell them at the right time to get right remuneration. Interested persons and organisations can approach nationalised banks or NABARD or the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri-Business. Further details could be obtained from the statement said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Free bus rides to push up number of female commuters'
Kolkata: Nearly half of the woman commuters in Kolkata (44.5%) and more than half in Durgapur (62.5%) travel by buses. If fares were waived, 27.8% more in Kolkata and 25% more in Durgapur would shift to buses, according to a new study that underscores the potential of bus fare subsidy schemes to drive inclusive mobility and local economic growth in Bengal. The report, 'Beyond Free Rides: A Multi-State Assessment of Women's Bus Fare Subsidy Schemes in Urban India', released by the Sustainable Mobility Network, anchored by Purpose and Asar, is a coalition of 20 organisations, including SwitchON Foundation in Kolkata. The study by Nikore Associates is the first-of-its-kind multi-state analysis of women-focused fare subsidy programmes. Based on over 2,500 surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews across 10 cities in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Bengal and Maharashtra, the study highlights the strong demand for affordable and reliable public transport. The data highlights how free or subsidised bus fare schemes could change travel behaviour in Durgapur and Kolkata across seven key parameters. In both cities, the largest shift is seen in 'shift to buses' (S1), with 27.8% in Kolkata and 25% in Durgapur, indicating a strong potential to move commuters towards public transport if fares are waived. Travel for work/education (S2) also shows a notable rise in Kolkata (22.5%) compared to Durgapur (13.3%), suggesting greater work or education-related mobility benefits in the state capital. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "A well-designed fare support scheme can transform these trade-offs into safer, more regular, and dignified bus travel, especially for low-income groups," said Vinay Jaju of SwitchON Foundation. "When women are already dependent on buses despite financial strain, it shows how impactful fare support can be," said Mitali Nikore, founder and chief economist at Nikore Associates. "Many domestic workers say bus fares consume nearly a third of their monthly income, leaving little for food or education," said Nupur Sarkar of the Civilian Welfare Foundation.
