The Tamil Nadu Regional Office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated its 44^th Foundation Day in Chennai on 18^th July 2025.  The event was graced by Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister for IT & Digital services, Govt. of Tamil Nadu as the Chief Guest. Dr. Sowmya Swaminathan, Chair of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Principal Advisor to National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India was Guest of Honour.  The event saw participation from senior bankers, state government officials, NGOs, SHG members, farmers and various stakeholders.

   

During the event, the Minister released the Booklet on Indicative Unit Cost of Investments in Agri & Allied sector for FY 2025-26. The booklet serves as guide for bankers to work out quantum of finance for long term crop loans in the State and farmers to examine if the financing is adequate. A mobile app (NABTRACE) for establishing traceability of agricultural commodities was launched by the Minister. Video documentaries on NABARD’s interventions in restoration of soil health, climate resilience, watershed development, restoration of Cauvery Delta Irrigation system, innovative farm sector initiatives were released. 

 

In his keynote address, the Minister recalled long association with NABARD in various capacities and the impact  created out of special funds like RIDF, FIDF, NIDA  etc. which helped State Government to create rural infrastructure. The Minister also lauded the efforts of NABARD in computerisation of all PACS in Tamil Nadu which will greatly enhance the services to customers. Minister applauded MABIF (Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum) NABARD supported Incubator in emerging as frontrunner in the State in supporting rural and Agri startups. Minister also appreciated NABARD for its yeoman service in strengthening credit delivery and various development initiatives like FPOs, soil health management, climate adaptation & mitigation, livelihood initiatives and, exhorted to further explore avenues in channelling of funds to boost the State towards a $1 trillion economy

Dr. Sowmya Swaminathan, in her address, recalled long term association of NABARD with MSSRF and recounted few collaborations in areas of coral reef and mangrove ecosystem restoration, soil health and watershed management, tribal development etc. She mentioned the importance of water security in agriculture and food security and sought NABARD’s partnership in shaping new initiatives towards “Evergreen Revolution” – to ensure food security despite climate risks and increased extreme weather events.

Shri R. Anand, Chief General Manager of NABARD Tamil Nadu Regional Office, in his address, provided an overview of NABARD’s operation in Tamil Nadu covering business and development initiatives. CGM mentioned that more than ₹50,000 crore was disbursed in TN during FY 2024-25 towards infrastructure creation and agricultural refinance, which is the highest quantum from NABARD to any State in India. He also highlighted NABARD's support for creation of rural infrastructure assisting to the tune of ₹38,700 crores, bringing more than 41.50 lakh ha of land under irrigation, laying of 73,000 km rural roads, 87,000 m bridges and creation of 9.20 LMT of scientific storage for agricultural produce. He also highlighted on impactful development and promotional initiatives in areas like agriculture, Agri tech, watershed, tribal welfare, micro finance, financial inclusion, institutional development, FPOs etc. CGM shared that NABARD is supporting pilot schemes, for creation of Custom Hiring Centres for drone services in agriculture, seaweed farming, cluster based MSME development and organic farming, in Tamil Nadu.  NABARD is registering a shared services entity “Sahakar Sarathi Pvt. Ltd.” to provide technology solutions.

Shri V. Srinivasan, General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, also spoke during the event. While tracing genesis of NABARD, taking over agricultural credit and refinance functions from RBI, he mentioned that Reserve Bank of India is proud to note NABARD’s impact in rural development through its initiatives such as SHG-BLP, JLG financing, Financial Inclusion and other grant-based schemes. He congratulated NABARD on its phenomenal growth and positioning as a development leader through four and half decade. Wishing NABARD to continue scripting innovative development initiatives, he urged NABARD to play leadership role in studying and evolve solutions in climate change related challenges affecting rural financial sector.

In a significant recognition of their efforts in fostering development of State, few NGOs, FPOs, Rural Financial Institutions were felicitated (list enclosed)

Annexure

	Agency	Citation Category
SEEDS, Virudhunagar		Watershed development programmes
Shalom, Pachamalai		Tribal development programmes
Nallavur FPO Gomuki FPO Eppothum Vendran PACS, Thothukudi		Best Farmer’s Producer Organisation (FPO) Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS)
DEEPS, Dharmapuri		Best performance – Implementing agency
Salem DCCB Tiruchirapalli DCCB		Best performance District Central Cooperative Bank (DCCB)
Periyavadamalaipalayam PACS, Erode Idaikattur PACS, Sivagangai Sathankulam PACS, Thoothukudi		Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS)
NABKISAN		Credit Facilitation to FPOs

 

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