India: New banana facility for Tamil Nadu
The NABARD has released the loan to the Primary Agricultural Cooperative and Credit Society at Varadarajapuram through the Tiruchi District Central Cooperative Bank (TDCCB). The total cost of the unit is Rs.27.46 lakh.
Apart from a credit flow of Rs.23.70, NABARD has also sanctioned a grant of Rs.1.12lakh, while the balance Rs.2.63lakh has been contributed by banana growers.
Speaking after handing over the loan document to S.Saravanan, secretary of the society, at a function held in the city on Thursday, Lalitha Venkatesan, Chief General Manager, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, NABARD, said that this was the first result in the State of its 'producer organisations development fund' scheme.
"We are prepared to sanction loans or grants for various activities including agro-processing units, value addition in agricultural produce, marketing linkages, and training of farmers," said Ms.Lalitha Venkatesan.
The daily storage limit of the facility will be 10 tonnes. It is accepted that the facility is inadequate for coping with the total quantity of bananas and plantains grown in the region, however, it is expected that this will ensure that it is used optimally as soon as it is opening on a month's time. It is envisaged that there will be an extension of further facility development in due course.
The banana growers have been assured by NABARD, of further assistance for their industry going forward.
Source: www.thehindu.com
