NABARD, Maharashtra Celebrates 45th Foundation Day in Pune, Honours Women Farmers

On 16 July 2026, NABARD marked its 45th Foundation Day in Pune, coinciding with the International Year of Women Farmers 2026. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne, as chief guest, praised women as the backbone of agriculture and highlighted several state initiatives: crop loan waivers up to ₹2 lakh with a ₹50,000 repayment incentive under the Punya Shlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karj Mafi Yojana; free electricity for pumps up to 7.5 HP; a five‑lakh‑hectare target under the Natural Farming Mission; AgriStack digital IDs for over a crore farmers; AI advisory services via Mahavistaar‑AI and Vasudha; and expanded livelihoods under the Pashudhan Udyojak and Matsya Sampada Yojanas. Priority sector lending rose from ₹6.40 lakh crore (2023‑24) to ₹9.20 lakh crore (2025‑26), and agricultural credit grew from ₹1.54 lakh crore to ₹1.93 lakh crore. Women‑focused schemes such as Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and UMED have benefitted over 50 lakh women in SHGs with more than ₹50,000 crore in loans. NABARD’s business support and refinance for Maharashtra crossed ₹39,380 crore, with direct infrastructure assistance of nearly ₹5,600 crore.