NABARD Launches State Focus Paper 2025-26 at State Credit Seminar in Imphal
Imphal, March 25, 2025:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Manipur Regional Office, today hosted the State Credit Seminar 2025 at Classic Sangai Hall, Hotel Imphal, marking the official launch of the State Focus Paper 2025-26. The document outlines Manipur’s credit potential and financial roadmap for rural development in the upcoming fiscal year.
Chief Secretary of Manipur, Shri Prashant Kumar Singh, IAS, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and lauded NABARD’s role in strengthening the state’s financial ecosystem. Acknowledging the ongoing challenges in Manipur, he emphasized the importance of collaboration among banks and institutions in restoring normalcy and economic growth. He noted that the estimated credit potential of Rs. 3,279 crore for 2025-26 would serve as a vital foundation for strategic financial planning across the state.
In his keynote address, Shri Partha Mandal, General Manager and Officer-in-Charge, NABARD Manipur, stated that the State Focus Paper consolidates district-level Potential Linked Plans (PLPs) into a unified Annual Credit Plan (ACP). The estimated credit outlay for 2025-26 reflects an 11% increase from the previous year, with 48% allocated to agriculture, 39% to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and 13% to other priority sectors.
Mandal also announced a digital shift for the State Focus Paper, aimed at improving accessibility and data uniformity. He highlighted NABARD’s initiatives including support for Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), expansion of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), strengthening of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), and the implementation of government schemes like PMFME and Kisan Sampada Yojana. As part of cooperative sector reforms, 232 PACS in Manipur are undergoing digitization to enhance efficiency and transparency.
Shri Bendang Aier, Deputy General Manager, NABARD, shared detailed insights from the State Focus Paper, addressing concerns over low agricultural productivity despite the sector contributing 26.3% to the state’s GDP. He stressed the need for targeted support to unlock Manipur’s growth potential in agriculture and allied sectors.
The event also recognized top-performing banks for their efforts in financial inclusion and rural development. Manipur Rural Bank was awarded for its excellence in the KCC and SHG Bank Linkage Programme categories, while the Manipur State Cooperative Bank was lauded for its performance in KCC for Animal Husbandry and Fishery. State Bank of India was honored for its leadership under the Social Security Scheme.
A short video showcasing NABARD’s contributions to financial inclusion and rural progress was screened during the seminar. The event witnessed participation from key officials including Shri Kh. Okendra Singh, AGM and Convenor of SLBC Manipur, Shri Chamailo M. Samuel, DGM, RBI, and others from various financial instituitions.