Chandigarh, Mar 12 (PTI) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Thursday launched several rural development initiatives in Haryana aimed at empowering women farmers, strengthening farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

NABARD Chairman Shaji K V inaugurated the programmes in Kaithal and Karnal districts.

In Pharal village of Kaithal district, he laid the foundation stone of the Saras Dhara Milk Processing Unit and inaugurated the Viksit FPO Mustard Oil Processing Unit along with its sales outlet.

A credit outreach programme was also organised 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 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 women-led FPO Haryana Atulya Nari Shakti (HANS) in Manglora village of Karnal district and interacted with women members and beneficiaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaji said NABARD has been promoting women-led FPOs in Haryana for over a decade and has mobilised nearly 13,000 women across the state to support rural entrepreneurship.

He said the initiatives aim to strengthen rural communities through better access to credit, technology and market linkages.

NABARD said 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 organisations, farmers and women beneficiaries. PTI VSD MR

Rural credit mobilisation expands refinance and direct lending to strengthen women-led enterprises and farmer producer organisations. Launch of rural financing and support initiatives to strengthen women-led enterprises, FPOs and rural livelihoods through credit linkages, infrastructure support and value-addition units. The package combines refinance and direct lending channels, supplemented by Rural Infrastructure Development Fund allocations, and includes distribution of sanction letters and disbursements to JLGs and FPOs alongside credit outreach to banks, implementing agencies and beneficiaries.