CHANGLANG, Jan 15: The NABARD’s potential linked credit plan (PLP) for Changlang district for the year 2019-20 was jointly launched by NABARD General Manager (GM) Gyanendra Mani and Changlang DC RK Sharma here recently.
The potential for institutional credit to the priority sector for the year 2019-20 has been estimated to the tune of Rs 2281.09 lakhs for the district.
Mani expressed concern over the poor SHG-bank linkage in Changlang and the low levels of achievement in central sector schemes like DEDS, the National Livestock Mission and state-specific programmes such as the CM’s Krishi Rinn Yojana, Bunker Yojana and Swavalamban Yojana.
Interacting with government officials, Mani sought solutions from them for increasing the institutional credit in the district. He also apprised them of the funds available with the NABARD which can be tapped by the state government, bankers, KVKs, etc.
The DC highlighted the administration’s initiatives pertaining to agriculture and allied sectors. He informed that cultivation of large cardamom is increasing in the district and attempts are being made to form two farmer-producer organisations (FPO) – one each for large cardamom and vegetable cultivation.
In response to the GM’s query regarding the poor credit flow to the agriculture and allied sectors, the DC said that despite his continuous persuasion with the banks to organise joint camps for recovery of bank loans and sanctioning of new loans, “nothing significant can be highlighted.”
The official from the fisheries department suggested that an FPO of fish farmers should be supported in the district “as there exists huge potential for the same.”
He said a “feed mixed plant for quality fish feed” and an ice-making plant in the district, or in the nearby districts, could help in the growth of the fisheries sector in the district.
The official from the handloom & handicrafts department said the district has good potential for cultivating eri and muga, while the agriculture department official said there is scope for financing pump sets in certain pockets of the district.
Officials of the animal husbandry, industries, the NERCORMP and others also spoke.
The NABARD GM later inspected a drinking water project and a rural road project sanctioned by the NABARD under its rural infrastructure development fund in Changlang district.
