Chandigarh, March 12 The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched several rural development initiatives in Haryana on Thursday, aimed at empowering women farmers, strengthening farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
NABARD Chairman Shaji K V inaugurated the programs in the Kaithal and Karnal districts.
In the Pharal village of the Kaithal district, he laid the foundation stone for the Saras Dhara Milk Processing Unit and inaugurated the Viksit FPO Mustard Oil Processing Unit along with its sales outlet.
A credit outreach program was also organized, where banks, implementing agencies, FPO representatives, and beneficiaries participated to strengthen credit linkages for rural enterprises.
Sanction letters and cheques were also distributed to members of Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and to the Kharkhoda Block Organic FPO and Jind Kisan Jan Nirman FPO to support farm-based and livelihood activities.
A rainwater harvesting recharge well built at the Government Senior Secondary School in Pharal village was also handed over to the community.
Later, Shaji inaugurated a dairy processing unit for Bilona ghee production, promoted by the women-led FPO Haryana Atulya Nari Shakti (HANS) in Manglora village of the Karnal district, and interacted with women members and beneficiaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaji said that NABARD has been promoting women-led FPOs in Haryana for over a decade and has mobilized nearly 13,000 women across the state to support rural entrepreneurship.
He said that the initiatives aim to strengthen rural communities through better access to credit, technology, and market linkages.
NABARD said that it recorded disbursements of about Rs 30,050 crore in Haryana during the financial year 2025-26 through refinance and direct finance.
The amount included Rs 14,779 crore in refinance disbursements, Rs 13,660 crore under direct lending, and Rs 1,612 crore released through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for rural infrastructure projects.
NABARD Chief General Manager for Haryana, Nivedita Tiwary, also addressed the gathering, which was attended by officials from banks, development institutions, research organizations, farmers, and women beneficiaries.