\nAddressing the inaugural programme on promotion of Agri clinics and Agri business organized by Indian Institute of Bank Management (IIBM) at NSCB Conference Hall, Alemtemsu Jamir presiding as chief guest said that agriculture today follows a globalization process and also plays an important role in developing a state. So, for the development and to uplift the state, more emphasize should be given to agriculture and this could be done with the help from banks by providing loans to the farmers and thereby boost the economy.
\nHe requested the banks to be alert and come forward with suggestions for farmers in dealing with the money proposed for agriculture and that the culture of the banking system should be adaptable.
\nLamenting over the present scenario of the banks chief guest said “banking sector credit is not up to the mark” and “banks are not proactive”. He suggested for a need to change within the banking system, not in a critical manner but a structural one. “Banks should be more approachable and should provide loans not only in places like Kohima and Dimapur but also in areas like Kiphire, Phungro, Noklak and others” he said.
\nJamir also suggested more technologies should be availed in the agricultural sector targeting all areas of the state and special focus to farmers from remote areas, proposed by Agri clinics and Agri business.
\nAgriclinics and Agribusiness centres (AC&ABC) scheme is sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, NABARD, SFAC (Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium) and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), introduced in the year 2001-02. However this scheme was not implemented in North East India up to the level of expectation.
\nTo overcome the difficulties and to lead the scheme for the success in North East, the Ministry of Agriculture, GOI and MANAGE had decided that IIBM should come forward to sort out the difficulties by way of interactive sessions amongst the stake holders like banks, sponsoring agencies and NABARD. IIBM imparts two months training to the selected agriprenures by training organizations like Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAF), Agricultural Universities and others and to forward their loan proposals to the banks for sanction and disbursement.
\nB.K. Thadani, managing director NSCB during the inauguration programme said that though India is an agrarian country with immense potentiality for growth in the field of agriculture, the scope of employment in Government, Quasi government, banking and other allied sector is becoming narrower for Agri graduates and post graduates.
\nHe urged the Agri graduates to opt for management courses and that institute like Indian Institute of Rural Management (IIRM) should come up to equip fresh graduates with necessary qualification for prospective employment, he also suggested that call centres like Kissan call centres (KCC) established by Ministry of Agriculture, government of India should be established in the state to generate employment as well as to serve the cause of farmers residing in remote areas.
\nIt is pertinent to mention that establishment of Agri clinics and Agri business centres are some of the main options available for self employment where re-finances assistance are available from NABARD and for which banks should come forward to fulfill their social obligations by way of extending loaning facilities to qualified agriculturists.
\nBesides the chief guest, other dignitaries present at the programme were Mishra, director of Indian Institute of Bank Management, Guwahati; K.C. Panda, DGM OIC, NABARD Nagaland RO Dimapur and participants from various banks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"