National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has launched two rural haats in Arunachal Pradesh to strengthen rural livelihoods and market access.

Key Highlights

• Two rural markets (haats) have been established at:
  • Namsai (2nd Mile area)
  • Wakro (Lohit district)
• The initiative aims to provide dedicated selling platforms for farmers and Self Help Groups (SHGs).
• The project is implemented under the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission.
• Objectives and Features
• To improve market access for rural producers and reduce dependence on middlemen.
• To promote income generation and rural entrepreneurship through SHGs.
• To provide infrastructure for aggregation, storage, and sale of agricultural produce.
• To support financial inclusion through SHG-Bank linkage programmes pioneered by NABARD.

Key Interventions

• Introduction of low-cost vegetable coolers (developed by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay) to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Distribution of seeds under the JIVA Natural Farming Project, promoting eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture.
• Promotion of bamboo-based livelihoods through plantation drives and local enterprise development.

Institutional Framework

• NABARD: Setup in 1982 on recommendation of B.Sivaraman committee, as apex development bank for agriculture and rural development, focusing on credit, infrastructure, and livelihood promotion.
• Self Help Group-Bank Linkage Programme: A flagship initiative to connect SHGs with formal banking systems for credit and enterprise growth.
• National Rural Livelihoods Mission: Works towards poverty alleviation and women empowerment through SHGs.

Exam Hook: 

With reference to rural development in India, consider the following statements:

1. NABARD is the apex institution for financing agriculture and rural development.
2. The Self Help Group-Bank Linkage Programme aims to provide credit access to rural groups.
3. Rural haats are primarily meant for industrial exports.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

One-Line Wrap

• NABARD’s rural haats in Arunachal Pradesh highlight how local markets, SHGs, and sustainable practices can drive inclusive rural development.

Source