JOIN USFarmers' Resource Centre planned
The committee took the decision after the Union Finance Ministry wrote letters to all State-level Bankers’ Committees (SLBC), that the banking sector was placed in a position to solve many of the problems the farming community.
The move to establish the Farmers’ Resource Centre in Bagalkot was decided after several consultations were held by Syndicate Bank with the sub-committee headed by Principal Secretary to the Department of Industries and Commerce V P Baligar.
The resource centre will focus on extension of irrigated land, enhancement of cattle, providing boost to agriculture research, creating awareness about farm loans, implementation of latest technology and holding of free training programmes for farmers.
10-crore endowment
The Syndicate Bank, along with the State government, the Basaveshwara Veerashaiva Vidyavardhaka Sangha and eight other banks have set a target to garner an endowment of Rs 10 crore for the establishment of the nation’s first farm resource centre in Bagalkot.
The Syndicate Bank, Canara, Corporation, Vijaya, SBI, SBM, SBH, Karnataka Vikasa Grameena Bank and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) have agreed to contribute Rs 75 lakh each to the endowment.
State promises Rs 2 cr
The Basaveshwara Veerashaiva Vidyavardhaka Sangha which has contributed Rs 25 lakh has also provided a building for free to start the centre. Moreover, the State government has promised to give Rs two crore for the centre, said Basaveshwara Veerashaiva Vidyavardhaka Sangha Executive President and legislator Veeranna Charantimutt.
8 acres of land
The Bagalkot City Development Authority has granted eight acres of land in Navnagar area for the construction of the Farmers’ Resource Centre at an estimated cost of Rs four crore. The foundation will be laid by Art of Living founder Ravi Shankar, he said.
The interest derived on the endowment amount will be used for conducting activities of the centre, said General Manager of Syndicate Bank S M Desai.