Promoting an entrepreneurial culture among the rural youth and encouraging them to start enterprises in the rural off farm sector had been among the thrust areas in NABARD’s promotional initiatives over a period of more than three decades. Recognising the need for imparting necessary entrepreneurial skills to the rural youth, NABARD initiated capacity building measures in 1990 through the introduction of Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (REDPs) and Skill Development Programmes (SDPs).

NABARD has also been supporting skill initiative programmes of Ministry of Rural Development, GoI by providing grant assistance to RUDSETIs and RSETIs. Cumulatively, NABARD has supported 32,520 REDPS/SDPs, with grant assistance of Rs. 121.42 crore, imparting training to around 8.37 lakh unemployed rural youth as on 31 March 2018.

In order to broad base our existing skill initiatives in tune with GoI, National and State Skill Development Missions, we have included NGOs, NSDC training Partners/Sector Skill Councils, Government Agencies and Corporates involved in providing training to rural youth as our Channel partners.

The NABSKILL portal is a new initiative by NABARD to capture the details of training related data viz., trainees profiles, training programme details, post training settlement rate etc. Through this portal, Training Institutions can apply online for financial support from NABARD. Besides creating a database and helping us in closely monitor the various programmes, this initiative will also enable us to assess the ground level impact of the training imparted to rural youth and fine tune our policies based on the same.

NABARD has constituted two Task Force committees, one on handlooms and the other on handicrafts.  The first meeting of the Task Force Committees was held on 11 June 2018 at New Delhi RO.  Shri D N Magar, CGM, OFDD welcomed the Task Force Members and explained the objectives of the meeting. Chairman, NABARD inaugurated the meeting and in his address emphasised on the need for integrated value chain funding, action research in the handloom and handicrafts sectors, increased credit flow and a reliable data base for these sectors. Shri Amalorpavanathan, DMD suggested that the committee may come up with viable solutions in the areas of technology, market and review implementation of various government schemes to address the problems being faced by these sectors. The taskforce on handlooms is headed by Shri Sanjay Rastogi, IAS, Development Commissioner, Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, GoI and the task force on handicrafts is headed by Shri Shantmanu, IAS, Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, GoI.  All the other members are eminent personalities who have rich experience in the sector. 

Inauguration of Skill development Training Programme at Ambuja Cement Foundation Training Centre, Amarwara (Dist.-Chhindwara), Madhya Pradesh on 21 April 2018.

The 13 day exhibition of Mahalaxmi SARAS 2018 concluded on 29th January 2018.  Dr.S. Saravanavel, Chief General Manager, Off Farm Development Department addressed the artisans sponsored by NABARD during the valedictory function.  He advised them to carry further the learnings from the Mela.  The artisans shared their experiences and learnings and thanked NABARD for giving them an opportunity and marketing platform to understand the urban market and sell their products.  Out of 49 stalls sponsored by  NABARD, as many as 18 stalls were selling Geographical Indication products.   Certificates of participation were also handed over to the artisans.  During the conduct of the Mela, training on communication, branding and presentation skills were imparted to the artisans by resource persons.  POS machines were also arranged for 30 artisans through MSWIPE Technologies and RBL Bank for promoting digital transaction.

NABSKILL an online skill portal was launched by Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Chairman in the presence of Shri R. Amalorpavanathan, DMD and CGMs on 29 November 2017. NABSKILL envisages bringing all stakeholders involved in Skill Development Initiatives of NABARD on a single platform. The eligible training providers can apply online in order to avail financial assistance from NABARD.  DDM recommendation, sanction at RO/HO and submission of claim can also be undertaken online. The portal will serve as a database of the trainees with course, post settlement details, etc. and also help in monitoring

NABSKILL an online skill portal was launched by Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Chairman in the presence of Shri R. Amalorpavanathan, DMD and CGMs on 29 November 2017. NABSKILL envisages bringing all stakeholders involved in Skill Development Initiatives of NABARD on a single platform. The eligible training providers can apply online in order to avail financial assistance from NABARD.  DDM recommendation, sanction at RO/HO and submission of claim can also be undertaken online. The portal will serve as a database of the trainees with course, post settlement details, etc. and also help in monitoring

“Mahalaxmi SARAS 2018” was inaugurated by Shri Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, Hon’ble Governor, Maharashtra State.  The event was presided over by Smt. Pankaja Gopinath Munde, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development and Women & Child Development, Maharashtra State.  Shri R Amalorpavanathan, Deputy Managing Director, NABARD shared the dias and also inaugurated the stalls sponsored by NABARD.