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 33,812 REDPS/SDPs, with grant assistance of Rs. 135.45 crore, imparting training to around 8.71 lakh unemployed rural youth as on 31 March 2019.

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.

A major step in digitalization was launched by Dr H K Bhanwala, Chairman, NABARD on the eve of NABARD’s 38th Foundation Day - Micro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (MEDP) on NABSKILL portal. With this, all the MEDP applications will be submitted and processed online by NGOs, DDMs and ROs. The system will also provide valuable MIS for all the MEDPs conducted from district to national level. After MEDP other skill development initiatives like LEDP will also be taken online in future.

A workshop on Agri Startup & Incubator ecosystem was organized by OFDD at Head Office on 14 November 2018 which was presided over by Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Chairman, NABARD. Shri H.B.Songadkar, Chief General Manager, OFDD while welcoming the participants explained the objective of the workshop. Chairman, NABARD delivered the inaugural address. Shri R Amalorpavanathan, DMD, NABARD, Shri H K Mittal, Adviser, Member Secretary, National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), DST, GoI, Dr Ch Srinivasa Rao, Director, National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Dr.K.Srinivas, CEO, a-IDEA, Shri Hemant Mathur of Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (CIIE), officials from National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Mentors, Venture capitalist, Agri startups, NABARD supported Agri-Business Incubation Centres of TNAU, Madurai & CCSHAU, Hisar were present in the workshop. CGMs of FSDD, FSPD, FD & DSSI of HO, Principal, NBSC, Lucknow, MDs of NABKISAN and NABSAMRUDHHI were also present and participated in the deliberations.

 Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Chairman, NABARD in his address highlighted on the need for farm mechanization, innovation/technology for a longer shelf life of agriculture produce (warehouse) & different technologies for effective water management among others. In the context of Incubation centers, he impressed upon the need for institutional support especially towards common lab facilities and mentorship for Agripreneurs and Agristartups. Shri H K Mittal, Adviser, Member Secretary presented the scenario of Incubation Centres across the globe including India. He briefed about the types of Business Incubators and various public funding options available for Incubation center. While emphasizing on the dire need for “cult of more Agri-Business Incubators” in India, he highlighted that the role of mentor and incubator managers is very important. Shri.

Srinivas Rao, Director NAARM and President of a-idea made a presentation on the journey of their incubator and its activities.

 The stakeholders of the agri startup ecosystem who were present in the workshop exchanged their views and also deliberated on the factors affecting the sustainability of Incubation Centre. The successful agri startups presented the entire gamut of their journey including the constraints and challenges faced. Shri R Amalorpavanathan in his closing remarks expressed his views on collaboration with other stakeholders involved in Agristartups ecosystem for supporting Agri Incubation.

 The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chairs and to all the participants.

The third meeting of the Taskforce on Handloom was held on 12 November 2018 at NABARD, Regional Office, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Shri Sanjay Rastogi, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, GoI. Shri Hemant B Songadkar, CGM, OFDD welcomed Shri R. Amalorpavanathan, DMD , Shri Sanjay Rastogi , Chairman of the task force & all other members of the task force. The issues, constraints and the status of the Handloom sector prevailing in various states were discussed at length. Besides the presentation by OFDD,NABARD on the findings of the state specific studies and the presentation on “Market for Handloom sector” by Smt Deepa Krishnan, task force member, there was brainstorming on various initiatives for revival/giving a boost to the sector, improving the living conditions of the weavers, holistic development of the sector including those outside the cooperative fold, best practices of Cooptex, Tamil Nadu, marketing etc. While summing up the deliberations, Shri R. Amalorpavanathan, DMD, suggested that the sustainability of the sector can be ensured through regulatory and promotional measures by various stakeholders.

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

Shri Hemant B Songadkar, Chief General Manager, Off Farm Development Department addressed  and congratulated the artisans sponsored by NABARD during the valedictory function held on 04 February 2019.  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 for selling their products and understanding the market for their products.  Certificates of participation were also distributed to the artisans.  With a view to giving incentives to the artisans to maximize their sales, a competition was organized for the first time and   1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize were given to the stalls with higher sales.  CGM, OFDD wholeheartedly appreciated the efforts of Team OFDD in successfully conducting the event

During the Mela, in addition to buyer-seller meet, training on communication, branding and presentation skills were imparted to the artisans by  Dr. Manjula Jagatramka, Founder & Trainer, Vaitarna.com.   Dr. Tejaswi, Occupational Therapist handled a session on health problems associated with the artisan due to nature of their work.    A session on GST was conducted by Dr. Das, C.A.  All the  sessions were well received by the artisans.  POS machines were also arranged for  the artisans through MSWIPE Technologies 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

Mahalaxmi SARAS 2019 - Exhibition-cum-Sale of handicrafts, handloom and other products produced by rural artisans, members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Off Farm Producers Organizations organised by Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM) and supported by NABARD was inaugurated by Shri Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, Hon’ble Governor, Maharashtra at MMRDA Grounds, Bandra, Mumbai on 23 January 2019.

Smt. Pankaja Gopinath Munde, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development and Women & Child Development, Maharashtra, Shri Aseem Gupta, Principal Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department, Ms. R. Vimala, IAS, CEO, MSRLM, Shri. Ravindra Shinde COO, MSRLM, Shri R Amalorpavanathan, Deputy Managing Director, NABARD and Shri Hemant Songadkar, CGM, OFDD, NABARD were present during the occasion.

NABARD has been extending support for the last 16 years. This year, we have sponsored 50 stalls with a view to make available a marketing platforms to more than 100 artisans from 27 States.

Shri R Amalorpavanathan, DMD inaugurated the NABARD sponsored stalls with Shri H B Songadkar, CGM & team OFDD and interacted with the artisans. Bamboo products, Handloom & Handicrafts from North Eastern States, Handicrafts from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh & Jharkhand, Organic products from Uttarakhand & Chhattisgarh, Sarees & Handloom products from all over India, Wooden inlay products from Karnataka & Kerala, Pattachitra & Applique products from Odisha, Jute products from Haryana, Telangana Jewellery items, Terracotta products, Blue Pottery from Rajasthan and many other exquisite products from all the States in India made by SHGs/OFPOs/Societies and Rural artisans are available for sale in these stalls. OFDD has made arrangements to supply Point Of Sale (POS) machines to artisans and an interactive session on online marketing of goods was also organised by OFDD in coordination with a representative from Amazon for the benefit of artisans. A buyer seller meet is also proposed to be organised during the Mahalaxmi SARAS 2019.