Officials of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) said the bank was ready to assist farmers financially if they organize themselves into smaller groups and form farmer clubs, to grow as a community.

“We will assist you in marketing your agriculture produce, and also produce from allied activities,” NABARD Deputy Managing Director H. R. Dave said.

In an ‘Interaction with farmers’ producers organisations’ in Sarvail village in the mandal on Tuesday, the team of bank top officials along district officials said farmers achieve more when they work as a community, and cited the example of Gujarat model of dairy development.

“When a village becomes one unit and sets up cattle hostels (like in Gujarat), growth exceeds estimates and makes communities stronger,” Mr. Dave said. Urging farmers to form clubs and replicate such models, the Deputy MD said NABARD was willing to provide guidance through its expertise, and also provide loans for agriculture and allied disciplines.

District Collector Anita Ramachandran explained to the team the success of dairy production in the district, and also encouraged farmers to make optimum use of the expert-assisted schemes from the bank. The officials interacted with the villagers. They inaugurated card swiping services for farmers and disbursed Rupay-Kisan Credit Cards to eligible persons.