By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 26, 2023: Union Minister of Education, Skill and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan calls for extending credit to rural poor women with almost interest free loan to have a positive impact in their financial status.

Speaking at the State Level Conclave on Enhancement of Skill of Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) and Self Help Group (SHG) Members organized by NABARD Odisha Regional Office here on Friday, Pradhan emphasized 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 also highlighted the credit support extended to the state government by NABARD for various rural infrastructure projects.

About 50 FPOs including two Off-Farm Producers Organizations (OFPO) from 21 districts of the Odisha were provided the sanction letters for a credit support of Rs 6.57 crore through Nabkisan. Besides, Rs 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 six RSETIs in the State.

Spoeaking on the occasion, Nabard deputy managing director, Dr.Ajay Sood 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 FPOs 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 farmer’s 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 the State Level Banking Committee (SLBC) to include credit to FPO as an agenda from next meeting onwards.

SLBC Convener 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.

NABARD Chief General Manager, Dr. Sudhanshu KK Mishra, in his address stated that NABARD has promoted 392 FPOs and 13 OFPOs across Odisha. Claiming that such conclave aims to take the efforts of NABARD forward considering the deep requirement of skilling amidst the members of FPOs and SHGs, Mishra said the efforts of NABARD and other stakeholders have successfully enabled the FPOs in growth trajectory and the FPOs into various Business Activities.

NABARD has taken initiative to form a State Level Federation to facilitate marketing and forward linkages of the FPOs, Msihra informed.

The event was also attended by SHG women, farmers, artisans, and potters from various districts of Odisha.