NABARD focusses on the prospects of value chain in floriculture and coffee in Assam

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) conducted a meeting of the Regional Advisory Group (RAG) on Farm Sector Development for the Financial Year 2023-24 at the Assam Regional Office.

The theme of the meeting was ‘Prospects of Value Chain in Floriculture & Coffee Plantations in Assam.’ NABARD through its various interventions, Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP), Farm Sector Promotion Fund (FSPF) has provided opportunities to the famers and SHGs for promotion of production, value chain creation and credit linkage through banks in the floricultures sector.


The delegates of the meeting included Member representative, Assam Agriculture Commission; Principal Scientist, Horticulture Research Station; Deputy Director, National Horticulture Board; Senior Liaison Officer, Coffee Board, Director (Open & Distance Learning), Assam Agricultural University; Regional Head, APEDA; MD, NERAMAC; DGM, NEDFi, Chief Manager, SLBC, SBI along with other government officials, banking partners, farmers and entrepreneurs.

The deliberations emphasized on the importance of floriculture market in Assam and the need to look for the scope of value-creation in this segment.

Nabin Kumar Roy, General Manger & OIC, NABARD, Assam RO said that there is a dire need for awareness and mobilization of farmers in line with the Floriculture Mission of the State Government for doing away with the huge imports in the state by area expansion of flowers and thus, contributing to the state’s economy.

With regards to the feasibility of promoting coffee plantations in Assam, he expressed having close coordination with Coffee Board of India for promoting Coffee in the state. He exhorted the members to come forward with ideas, initiatives and guidance for taking the issues forward and for development of a comprehensive strategy in convergence for promoting the ethos of ‘Gaanv Badhe toh Desh Badhe’ in Assam.

As a part of Natural Resources Management, NABARD has been supporting the implementation of various Projects like Integrated Watershed Dev. with Climate Proofing Interventions (IWDCPIs), Integrated Tribal Dev. Programmes (ITDPs), UPNRM & Climate Change Projects, etc.

Accordingly, NABARD Assam RO has recently sanctioned the Full Implementation Phase (FIP) of its first Watershed Project in the State. The FIP will be implemented at Derapathar villages in Lumding Development Block of Hojai district.

Under the FIP, NABARD would support creation of 485 major/ minor structures like Check Dams, Percolation Tanks, Water Harvesting Structures, Control Bunds, Earthen Bunds, Farm Ponds, Staggered Contour Trenches etc. in the fields of 332 identified beneficiaries in a cluster of four villages in and around Derapathar with a grant assistance of Rs 2.30 crore. Further, in addition to undertaking measures pertaining to Area & Drainage Line treatments, NABARD would also support Climate Proofing interventions like installation of remote sensing Automated Wireless Weather Stations, Soil Moisture Sensors, Solar Pumps, Micro/ Drip Irrigation systems etc. The Project also envisages livelihood & women development trainings on activities including Vermicomposting, Agarbatthi making, Livestock rearing, Tailoring & Embroidery, Handloom Design Development etc.