ITANAGAR : The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Thursday organised the State Credit Seminar (SCS) for 2026-27 at the DK State Convention Centre in Itanagar, unveiling its State Focus Paper that assesses the state’s priority sector credit potential at ₹3,723.49 crore for the financial year.
The seminar brought together senior bankers and officials from various state government departments to discuss credit opportunities across key sectors, infrastructure requirements and institutional support needed to enhance credit flow and economic development.
According to NABARD’s assessment, the total credit potential comprises ₹442.27 crore under crop loans, ₹628.90 crore under agriculture term loans, ₹2,519.42 crore for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and ₹132.90 crore under other priority sectors.
Addressing the seminar, Reserve Bank of India General Manager Abhijit Majumdar explained the credit planning process at block, district and state levels and highlighted the role of the Lead Bank Scheme in channelising credit to priority sectors. He noted that while banks in Arunachal Pradesh had made significant strides in MSME financing, credit flow to agriculture remained inadequate.
Majumdar urged banks to strengthen agricultural lending in line with national and state priorities, while also expanding digital banking services and outreach in remote and unbanked areas. He described NABARD’s State Focus Paper as an important reference document for credit and development planning.
NABARD General Manager SV Ranga Rao observed that despite a higher agricultural credit target set by the Department of Financial Services, Government of India, the state’s assessed agricultural credit potential for 2026-27 stood at ₹1,071.17 crore, taking into account the challenges faced by banks in extending farm-sector credit.
He stressed the need for greater collaboration among banks, government departments and other stakeholders in preparing Potential Linked Credit Plans (PLPs), which help identify sector-specific opportunities, infrastructure gaps and constraints affecting credit flow.
Rao suggested that “agriculture and digital banking” should be the key focus areas during the year, alongside continued support for MSMEs. He also encouraged banks to utilise assistance available under NABARD’s Financial Inclusion Fund.
Earlier, NABARD Deputy General Manager Vivek Anand made a detailed presentation on sector-wise credit potential and the institution’s developmental initiatives in the state.
Key thrust areas identified in the State Focus Paper include micro-irrigation, warehousing, cold storage infrastructure, rural tourism, medicinal and aromatic plants, farmer producer organisations (FPOs), food processing, self-employment initiatives, start-ups, innovation and cooperative development.
