The role of NABARD in promoting agricultural and rural development in India

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), established in 1982 on the recommendations of the CRAFICARD Committee, plays a vital role in India’s agricultural and rural development. This paper reviews NABARD’s objectives, structure, functions, financial performance, achievements, challenges, and future prospects. It highlights NABARD’s role in rural credit, development financing, supervision of rural financial institutions, and policy support, with emphasis on initiatives like the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme and RIDF. Despite notable contributions to financial inclusion and rural development, NABARD faces challenges such as regional disparities and weak cooperative institutions. The study concludes by emphasizing NABARD’s future role in digital finance, climate-resilient funding, and sustainable rural growth.