Kohima, Feb 26: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has projected a credit potential of ₹2,106.34 crore for Nagaland under priority sector activities for the financial year 2025-26. The projection was unveiled in the State Focus Paper (SFP), which was released by Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan during a NABARD-organized seminar on Tuesday.
According to the SFP, the proposed credit allocation includes ₹712 crore for agriculture, ₹968 crore for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, and ₹425 crore for other priority sectors. The document provides a strategic roadmap for financial institutions to channel funds into key areas, ensuring the state’s development in agriculture, rural infrastructure, and economic upliftment.
NABARD General Manager Pauliankap Bulte emphasized the importance of extending credit to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and strengthening Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), particularly those undergoing computerization under a central initiative. He also highlighted the urgent need to accelerate the saturation of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs), especially for animal husbandry and fisheries, to enhance farmers’ financial accessibility.
"The state must prioritize agricultural advancements, including irrigation expansion, horticulture development, and food processing industries, as these sectors have the potential to transform Nagaland's economy," Bulte stated.
Addressing the seminar, Yanthan lauded Nagaland’s achievement in surpassing the Ground Level Credit (GLC) target for the priority sector in the previous financial year. He urged the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) to take proactive measures in setting up bank branches in the state’s 22 unbanked rural development blocks, ensuring financial inclusion and improved access to credit facilities.
