Mangalore : Karnataka bank is all set to have an Agriculture advance portfolio of ` 5515 crores by March 2015, which will constitute more than 18% of total advance of the bank. At present, bank has 10 Agriculture Development Branches (ADB), 142 Green Branches and 51 Agriculture Field Officers (AFOs) as dedicated resources for agri. advances. During current year, bank has plans to open 75 new branches across India and of this, at least 29 branches will be opened in rural area so as to give further thrust to agri advances. Further, bank will continue to oraganise “Farmer’s Meet” at potential centers and will focus more on agri. subvention scheme so as to ensure agri credit at affordable rate” said Shri P Jayarama Bhat MD & CEO of the Bank. He was delivering the key note address at the “All India Agri. Business Conference of Karnataka Bank” held at Mangalore on 1st July 2014.
Sri M S Mahabaleshwara Bhat, Chief General Manager of the Bank, in his special address said that, “AFOs (Agri. Field Officer) being technically qualified specialized agri personnel, should bring in an element of professionalism to agri advances portfolio management. Besides extending technical guidance to farmers’ clientele, the AFOs should ensure timely credit delivery, its end use and recovery.”
General Manager Dr Meera Aranha advised the participants to achieve the stipulated target under direct agri advances by focusing on strategies drawn. General Managers Sri N Upendra Prabhu, Sri Raghurama and Sri Raghavendra Bhat M were present during the deliberations.
Detailed review of Agricultural Field Officers and Branch Heads were made during the Conference.
In the beginning Sri V N Manohar, Deputy General Manager, Retail Finance Division (RFD) welcomed the participants. The Conference was concluded with the vote of thanks by Sri Nirmal Kumar K Hegde, Deputy General Manager.
