The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated its 45th Foundation Day in Pune on July 16, highlighting the role of women in rural development and agriculture. This event marked NABARD's pledge to support inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient rural growth in Maharashtra, during the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.
Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne was the chief guest for the celebration. Women farmers and women-led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), and rural entrepreneurs from various areas of the state were applauded for their support in boosting the rural economy.
In the keynote address, Bharne termed women as "backbone of agriculture" and admired NABARD's collaboration with the farming and cooperative sector in Maharashtra for 45 years. He pointed out various farmer-friendly schemes announced in the state budget such as crop loan waivers of up to ₹2 lakh and incentive of ₹50,000 for regular repayment of the loan under Punya Shlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karj Mafi Yojana.
He also talked about free electricity for farmers who are using pumps up to 7.5 HP, which is the target of the Natural Farming Mission to cover five lakh hectares of farmers, AgriStack digital identities for over one crore farmers, and AI-based advisory services via the Mahavistaar-AI and Vasudha services.
Key Highlights:
- NABARD marked its 45th Foundation Day, honoring women farmers
- Dattatray Bharne called women the "backbone of agriculture."
- NABARD reaffirmed its commitment to women-led rural development
The minister highlighted that the amount of priority sector lending in Maharashtra improved from ₹6.40 lakh crore in 2023-24 to ₹9.20 lakh crore in 2025-26, and agricultural credit has improved from ₹1.54 lakh crore to ₹1.93 lakh crore in the same period. He called on banks to increase the outreach of Kisan Credit Cards, especially to small and marginal farmers.
Bharne stressed on women empowerment, adding that over 50 lakh women with SHGs had availed loan worth more than ₹50,000 crore as part of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and UMED program, empowering many to become ‘Lakhpati Didis’. He also invited NABARD to further strengthen its cooperation with UMED and MAVIM and the women farmer producer companies to improve the livelihoods of the rural population.
Bharne connected these projects to Maharashtra's Viksit Maharashtra 2047 policy, which is based on four pillars of development—village, farm, cooperative, and development—with the goal of creating a 'one trillion dollar economy' by 2030 and 'five trillion dollar economy' by 2047.
Dr. A. V. Bhavani Shankar, Chief General Manager, NABARD Maharashtra Regional Office, in his address said that 2025-26 is a significant year for NABARD in Maharashtra. Business support and refinance transactions totaled ₹39,380 crore and direct assistance to the state government for infrastructure investment came in at almost ₹5,600 crore, he added. During the year, NABARD has also availed developmental and grant assistance of ₹37.72 crore.
He also pointed out that the bank is continuing its work to achieve the complete digitization of PACS, to stimulate the development of multi-purpose PACS, to support Farmer Producer Organizations, agriculture in the face of climate change, natural resource management and women's rural entrepreneurship. He reiterated the importance of empowering women farmers and enhancing rural institutions as key pillars of NABARD's strategy of Viksit Bharat @2047 in Maharashtra.
In the program, NABARD has released a booklet titled ‘Empowering Rural Maharashtra: NABARD 2025-26’ and a documentary highlighting a project for women farmers engaged in backyard poultry farming, supported by NABARD, in Chandrapur district.
The event was graced by the presence of Jaikish, CGM and Principal, CAB Pune, Vivek Nachane, General Manager and Convenor, SLBC Maharashtra, Dr. Bharat Kakde, President of BAIF and Vidhyadhar Anaskar, Administrator of Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank. General Manager Samriti Bhagat addressed the welcome message and General Manager, NABARD Maharashtra Regional Office; Avinash P. Sevalkar proposed the vote of thanks.
Current Issue
Most Viewed
- 1 Talented Indian Female Actors Who Also Moonlight as Successful Producers
- 2 7 Indian Female Podcasters You Must Know About
- 3 7 Powerful Independent Indian Women Journalists Who are Voices of Change
- 4 Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh: The Creative Mind Behind Netflix India's Popular Shows
- 5 7 Most Influential Women Educators India has had over the Years
- 6 11 Breakthrough Female Faces Ruling the Indian OTT Platforms
- 7 8 Timeless Female Indian Classical Dancers & their Legacy
- 8 Women's Health Startup HerMD Closing Doors Amid Industry Challenges
- 9 Real Meets Reel: A List of 11 Indian Movies based on Real Women
- 10 Rasha Hassan: A Visionary Leader On A Mission To Transform Dubai's Real Estate Landscape
- 11 5 Indian Women-led IPOs You Must Know About
- 12 11 of the Most Iconic 21st Century Women to become "The First Indian Woman"
- 13 India's 7 Funniest Women Stand-Up Comics You Must Follow
- 14 Aparna Purohit : Leading India's Most Popular OTT Platforms
- 15 How Leaders Can Balance Risk & Innovation in Today's Banking Landscape
- 16 Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy: Sculpting Healthier Futures For The Next Generation With Reforms In Obstetrics Care
- 17 Sylvia Dcosta: A Visionary Business Leader Pushing The Limits And Setting High Professional Standards
- 18 Top 5 All-Rounder Women Cricketers of India
- 19 How Tata AIA is Empowering Women with Insurance That Understands Their Needs
