The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, New Delhi Regional Office (NABARD) marked its 45th Foundation Day in New Delhi with a ceremony that reflected the institution’s enduring commitment to rural transformation, financial inclusion, and sustainable development. The event was graced by Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Secretary Department of Women and Child Development as Chief Guest along with Sh. S Manikumar, DMD, IFCI Ltd, Ms. Suparna Tandon, CEO, NPS trust, Dr. Har Gopal Yandra, MD NABCONS, Sh. Nabin Kumar Roy, CGM, NABARD, New Delhi Regional Office, Sh. T D Sivakumar, CGM Exim Bank, Sh. Rajesh Bhowmick, CGM PNB, Sh. Vikram Duggal, CGM Canara Bank, Sh. D Sahoo, GM SLBC and other senior dignitaries. The event brought together senior officials from NABARD and NABCONS, Senior government representatives, bankers, development partners, and a large group of women farmers and rural entrepreneurs who have benefited from NABARD’s support over the years.
In his inaugural address, Sh. Nabin Kumar Roy highlighted the journey of NABARD for over the last four and a half decades and how NABARD has evolved from a refinancing institution into a development bank of national importance, supporting initiatives that have shaped India’s rural economy. Its work has extended across key areas such as rural infrastructure, climate-resilient agriculture, watershed management, digital financial inclusion, microfinance, tribal development, producer organizations, and the promotion of traditional crafts and livelihoods.
Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS highlighted how NABARD’s interventions have helped improve productivity, strengthen rural institutions, and create pathways for sustainable income generation in villages across the country. She emphasized that empowering women farmers is essential to achieving broader goals of economic inclusion, household resilience, and community development. The felicitation of outstanding women farmers during the program served as a tribute to their determination, innovation, and contribution to rural prosperity.
The event aligned with the International Year of Women Farmers by celebrating the recognition of women farmers and self-help group leaders whose success stories exemplify the power of skill development, collective enterprise, and institutional support. Several women shared how training and guidance from agricultural institutions and NABARD-linked programs enabled them to build livelihoods through dairy, beekeeping, vermicomposting, bakery operations, organic farming, and food processing. Their journeys, speakers noted, are a powerful reminder that women are not only participants in agriculture but also leaders in reshaping rural economies.
The celebration further highlighted NABARD’s role in encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in rural India. With increasing focus on quality branding, packaging, GI-tagged products, and market linkages, NABARD’s ecosystem support was described as crucial for helping rural producers move from subsistence to enterprise. Participants also stressed the need for mentorship, capacity building, and stronger partnerships to ensure that rural women and small producers can expand their businesses and access new markets.
On the occasion a high-level Delegation from Nigeria led by the Dr. Ruchira Bhattacharya, Assistant Professor and Head of NIRDPR, Delhi Unit visited the NABARD, New Delhi RO to learn from India’s experience in rural development, financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, and sustainable livelihood creation.
During the visit, the Nigerian delegation observed how India has built an integrated rural development ecosystem that combines self-help groups (SHGs), farmer producer organizations (FPOs), rural financial institutions, digital infrastructure, and community-led enterprise models to support inclusive growth at the last mile.
The delegation noted the value of India’s approach to strengthening women-led livelihoods, improving database and beneficiary tracking systems, and promoting adaptive social protection through coordinated institutional frameworks. They also expressed strong interest in how NABARD supports rural households through credit, capacity building, institutional linkages, and social finance interventions.
On the occasion, 09 products supported by NABARD for GI registration were displayed by the artisans of Uttam Nagar Terracotta of Delhi, Sangam Vihar Beads Craft of Delhi, Seelampur Wood Carving of Delhi, Delhi Hand Embroidery, Delhi Wooden Block Making Craft, Delhi Metal Ware Craft, Delhi Paper Mache Craft, Delhi Zardozi and Delhi Mock / Sham Jewellery. The exhibition cum display was well appreciated by the Nigerian delegation as well as dignitaries who attended the Foundation Day celebration.