Alwar co-op bank to train farmers for output boost
Unlike normal lending programme, in which the responsibility of the lender stops with dispensing of credit, the UPNRM follows a credit plus approach where the capacity of the borrower to utilise the loan and making the project is a success is ensured
JAIPUR: The Alwar Central Cooperative Bank (CCB) besides providing loans to farmers will also work on capacity building by imparting training, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
From March 5, the Alwar CCB will launch the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development’s (NABARD), Umbrella Program on Natural Resources Management (UPNRM) programme, focusing on drip and sprinkler irrigation, organic farming, new methods of cultivation, dairy, bee keeping, and water and soil conservation measures.
The CCB will Rajasthan’s first and India’s fourth cooperative bank to start the NABARD’s scheme as pilot project, under which more than 600 farmers of Mundawar, Laxmangarh and Kathumar blocks of Alwar will be benefitted.
Under the UPNRM programme, NABARD will provide a total assistance of ₹1.59 crore, which will include fund for loans, training and capacity building, said Bhoma Ram, managing director, Alwar CCB.
The UPNRM scheme follows a cluster and project approach in implementation of the programme, he said.
“Unlike normal lending programme, in which the responsibility of the lender stops with dispensing of credit, the UPNRM follows a credit plus approach where the capacity of the borrower to utilise the loan and making the project is a success is ensured.”
He further said that need based grant assistance is extended to build the capacity of the borrower through methods such as in-house and external training, advise of experts, exposure visit, risk mitigation measures. “Under the programme, farmers will be given training on drip irrigation, dairy farming, bee keeping, vermicompost production and utilisation, organic farming among others.
“The CCB will be the channel partner of NABARD and responsible for implementing the project and repaying.”
Selected farmers will be first given training by experts, and then considering their interest, loan will be provided and farmers’ work will be constantly monitored at various levels, he said.
The CCB will provide loans to selected farmers for 200 Murra breed buffalo, 50 units of organic vegetables, five vegetable trail method units, 100 compost pits, 30 azolla grass units, three vermicompost big units, 30 bee keeping units and 50 biogas units.
Cooperative Minister Ajay Singh Kilak, who will inaugurate the pilot project on March 5, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Vasundhara Raje are always emphasizing on increasing the income of farmers and for that it is necessary that farmers use modern resources to conserve nature.
“Keeping this in mind we will work on preparing other CCBs to start such initiative,” he said.