NABARD and Rajasthan government partner for rural development

NABARD Chairman Dr. Shaji Krishnan V. met with Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas to discuss strengthening the partnership between the bank and the state government to accelerate rural development.

The discussions focused on several key priorities, including water security, climate adaptation, digital agriculture, rural credit, and agricultural marketing. Water security was identified as a central pillar of the state's rural development strategy. NABARD committed to providing financial and technical assistance for water infrastructure, such as irrigation modernization, groundwater recharge, and watershed development, through mechanisms like the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

Additionally, the meeting addressed the transformation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and other cooperatives. Rather than acting solely as lending institutions, these bodies are intended to become self-reliant, enterprise-driven hubs involved in crop procurement, storage, processing, and value addition. To facilitate easier credit for farmers, the parties emphasized the use of digital land records, AgriStack, and digital crop surveys to ensure a transparent rural credit system.