Agartala, February 20 (TIWN): National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) released State Focus Paper 2015-16 in a State Credit Seminar at Pragna Bhawan, here today. Chief Secretary GK Rao inaugurated the seminar by lighting traditional lamp and released the State Focus Paper 2015-16.

Speaking in the seminar, the Chief Secretary said that the state is doing well in vegetable production but wastages are high due to lack of cold storages in the state. “There are huge scope to increase productivity in agriculture sector”, said Rao.

He further said, “Agriculture remains the main focus for development the economy of the state. Transfer of technology to farmers’ field is a sine quanon to improve productivity which demands for strengthening of extension machinery.”

Besides, the Chief Secretary urged the NABARD authority to focus on bamboo plantation, modernized handicrafts, agarbati industry and agri-based products as well. 

Addressing the seminar, General Manager (OIC) of NABARD- RK Deb Barman highlighted the problems and concerns being faced by farmers in agriculture sector. 

Referring development in financial sector, “The CD ratio was improved from 34 percent as on March 31, 2013 to 38 percent as on March 31, 2014 and further improved to 40 percent as on September 30, last year”, said Debbarman. 

He further informed that the state has registered commendable progress under Financial Inclusion Plan. All the 419 villages in the state having 2000 or more population were provided with banking outlets, largely through BC model, he said. 

To accelerate the pace of capital formation in agriculture and allied sector is the main focus of State Focus Paper, said Debbarman.

 The State Focus Paper (SFP) 2015-16 also presents a comprehensive picture of the credit potential estimated in various sectors of the rural economy as reflected in the Potential Linked Credit Plans (PLPs) prepared by NABARD for all the districts of the state, stated the general manager. 

During the seminar, a presentation on State Focus Paper 2015-16 was displayed by the DGM of NABARD (Tripura RO) - SK Nayak.