Finance Minister Pushes Northeast RRBs to Boost Agri Credit in New Sectors

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has instructed Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in the Northeast to increase their agriculture credit disbursement, with a focus on horticulture and allied activities like piggery, poultry, dairy, and fisheries. She emphasized the identification of right beneficiaries and promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday directed the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) of the Northeast to increase their share in ground-level agriculture credit disbursement with a special focus on horticulture and allied agriculture activities such as piggery, poultry, dairy and fisheries, officials said.

Chairing a review meeting of the RRBs in the northeastern states at the civil secretariat here, Sitharaman urged the banks to put greater thrust on the identification of the right beneficiaries while sanctioning loans under various central schemes, they said.

She asked the NABARD to promote Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the region. Stating that the Krishi Udan Scheme of the Centre provides access to the national market for perishable horticulture and floriculture produce, she directed all stakeholders to take necessary steps to realise the potential of allied agriculture activities in the region. Sitharaman also directed for organising special state-level bankers' committees (SLBCs) meetings involving RRBs to explore the possibility of tapping the potential of horticulture, floriculture, sericulture and animal husbandry to resolve the issue of availability of land records for extending agri credit and for increasing credit for agri-processing units.

(With inputs from agencies.)