What NABARD Does
NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) is India’s apex development bank dedicated to fostering rural prosperity. While NABARD does not lend directly to individual farmers, it powers the entire rural credit ecosystem by refinancing commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and Cooperative Banks, and directly funds Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), watershed initiatives, and agri-incubators.
Key Programs for Farmers, FPOs & Entrepreneurs
- FPO Promotion & Equity Support: NABARD is a primary implementing agency for the Central Sector Scheme for 10,000 FPOs, providing handholding through CBBOs (Cluster Based Business Organizations) and financial support up to ₹18 lakh per FPO over 3 years.
- Subsidy Channelizing Agency: Administers capital subsidies for several government schemes including Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) and AMI (Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure).
- NABVENTURES & RABI: Invests in early-stage agritech/rural startups via the NABVENTURES Fund and supports NABARD RABI (Rural Business Incubation Centres) across agricultural universities.
How to Contact & Collaborate
- District Level: Every district in India has a NABARD District Development Manager (DDM). FPOs, NGOs, and rural entrepreneurs can coordinate with their local DDM for project guidance and credit linkage.
- State Level: Contact the respective State Regional Office listed on the NABARD Contact Directory.