____________ is the apex bank for agriculture credit.a)RBIb)SIDBIc)NAB...
NABARD, which stands for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, is the apex bank for agriculture credit in India. It was established in 1982 with the aim of promoting and developing agriculture and rural sectors in the country. NABARD functions as a development bank, providing financial and developmental support to the agricultural sector.
NABARD performs various functions to fulfill its objective of supporting agriculture and rural development. Some of its key functions include:
1. Refinancing Agricultural Institutions: NABARD provides refinancing facilities to various institutions involved in agricultural lending such as commercial banks, regional rural banks, and cooperative banks. It refinances these institutions for providing credit to farmers and other rural sectors.
2. Rural Infrastructure Development: NABARD plays a crucial role in financing and promoting rural infrastructure development. It provides loans and grants to projects related to irrigation, rural roads, bridges, warehouses, and other rural infrastructure facilities.
3. Development of Rural Financial Institutions: NABARD helps in the development and strengthening of rural financial institutions like cooperative banks and regional rural banks. It provides them with financial assistance, training programs, and technical support to enhance their capacity to serve the rural population.
4. Promotion of Agriculture and Rural Innovation: NABARD promotes agricultural and rural innovation by supporting research and development activities, technology transfer, and adoption of modern farming practices. It also encourages the use of renewable energy and sustainable farming methods.
5. Microfinance and Financial Inclusion: NABARD plays a vital role in promoting microfinance and financial inclusion in rural areas. It supports self-help groups (SHGs) and provides them with financial assistance and capacity-building initiatives to empower rural women and promote entrepreneurship.
In conclusion, NABARD serves as the apex bank for agriculture credit in India. It plays a crucial role in providing financial and developmental support to the agricultural and rural sectors. Through its various functions, NABARD contributes to the overall growth and development of agriculture and rural areas in the country.