Bhubaneswar 25/11/23 ( Pratyusha Bureau): NABARD Odisha Regional Office organized a State Level Conclave on Enhancement of Skill of FPO and SHG Members at Railway Auditorium, Bhubaneswar 25th November 2023. During the conclave a total of 50 FPOs were provided the sanction letters for a credit support of 6.57 crore through Nabkisan, comprising of 48 Farmers Producers Organizations and 02 Off-Farm Producers Organizations from 21 districts of the Odisha. Further, a total of 1.21 crore was sanctioned for various skill development interventions for 1190 SHG members and livelihood generation initiatives like Grameen Dukan and Mobile Carts in addition to 06 RSETIS in the State. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Honorable Minister of Education and Skill & Entrepreneurship, Govt of India graced the occasion as chief guest. He highlighted about the need of skilling in FPOs and SHGs for effective linkage of small and marginal farmers to agricultural value chains and enhancing farm incomes. He emphasized on the initiatives of GoI and Banks with the special focus on NABARD for extending credit to rural poor women with almost interest free loan which has made a positive impact in their financial status.
He also highlighted the credit support extended to State Govt by NABARD for various rural infrastructure. The event was also attended by Dr. Ajay Sood, Deputy MD, NABARD, who highlighted that NABARD has always been taking special initiatives for skill development of farmers and SHG members which has been the foundation towards formation of FPOs. He also explained the importance of community driven institutions at the grassroots in safeguarding the interest of the small and marginal producers. Considering the significant role Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) can play in agriculture sector, NABARD has embraced FPO promotion as one of the priority areas and is committed to provide an appropriate ecosystem for sustainable growth of FPOs in Odisha. Regional Director Dr. S P Mohanty also emphasized on the requirement on the aggregation of Small and Marginal farmers into the FPOs as the need of hour as this is the only way to enhance the farmers income in a substantial manner. He emphasized that to explore more avenues for skill development in the state. While appreciating the role NABARD has been playing in developing FPOs, he requested SLBC to include credit to FPO as an agenda from next meeting onwards. SLBC Convener Shri Gautam Patra also highlighted the impact that the credit support to FPOs has been having on the banking business of the state. While detailing the financial achievements of the banks in the State, he explained that there is a need to push credit to skill loans in the State. He informed that most of the FPOS have been regular in their repayments as well against the loans extended to them. Dr. Sudhanshu KK Mishra, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Odisha Regional Office, in his address stated that NABARD has promoted 392 FPOs and 13 OFPOS across Odisha.
