Role of banks central in nurturing self reliant agriculture and allied sectors: DC
POONCH: To bridge the gap between banking institutions and the development departments under Agricultural Diversification Project (ADP), the District administration Poonch today organised a Bankers Seminar on Credit schemes for Agriculture and allied sectors at Dak Bungalow Poonch.
District Development Commissioner (DDC) Poonch, Yasin M. Choudhary presided over the seminar.
At the outset, DGM NABARD gave a PowerPoint Presentation to apprise the bankers about the need for enhanced credit flows to Agriculture and Allied sectors.
The event was held as part of the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan and with the objective to bridge the gap between farmers and bankers and fostering the flow of credit to the agriculture and allied sectors.
A detailed discussion was held on different issues including identification of beneficiaries, flow of credit for farmers under Holistic Development Agriculture Plan (HADP), assistance under Government sponsored schemes, performances of banks under District Credit Plan (DCP), monitoring initiatives and Credit Plus activities.
Speaking on the occasion, the District Development Commissioner said that projects identified under holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors would not only energize the agriculture sector but will also change the economic fortune of the farming community of Poonch district.
To facilitate and uplift poor farmers with credit linked schemes, the DDC impressed upon the bankers to put in added efforts to make ease in credit facilities for the farmers by focusing on potential areas. He further stressed on better coordination between banks and government departments for bringing improvement in CD ratio.
He directed for ensuring balanced lending in all key priority sectors to promote equitable growth and also emphasized upon the heads of the financial institutions to spread awareness with regard to the welfare schemes sponsored by them among masses so that people can avail benefit for their socio-economic development.
The DDC stressed for a self-reliant and sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture sector. He hailed the role of agriculture and horticulture sectors in creating self-reliant and sustainable employment in the district.
Moreover, He reiterated that for achieving the desired targets under the said sector, the bankers have an important role to play by providing hassle free credit to the farmers.
The District Development Commissioner Yasin M. Choudhary emphasised on simplifying the documentation procedure by the banks for providing the credit loans to the farmers and save them from making frequent visits. There should be no red-Tapism and focus should be on improving farmers’ experience in availing banking services, he said. He further urged the Bankers and the allied departments to work in tandem to achieve the goals of HADP launched by JKUT Government.
The seminar also included discussions on the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and the problem faced by Farmers for the registration of FPO’s.
The seminar was attended by Joint Director Sheep husbandry Dr Sanjeev, DDM NABARD Chander Parkash, Chief Agriculture Officer Rakesh Sharma, Chief Animal husbandry Officer Dr Younis, District Sheep husbandry Officer Ashish Mahajan, LDM Ashutosh Koul, AGMO CK Singh, CEOs of FPOs, bankers, officials from agriculture and allied departments besides progressive farmers.