The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Bhagalpur, hosted an interactive session on 20 September 2026 for students enrolled in the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) programme, bringing them face-to-face with NABARD Chief General Manager (CGM) Gautam Kumar Singh. The session covered rural development, agricultural entrepreneurship, employment opportunities, innovation, project formulation, and key schemes implemented by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

What NABARD's CGM Told Students

Gautam Kumar Singh outlined NABARD's mandate in promoting rural development, agriculture, and allied sectors, with a focus on entrepreneurship and employment generation. He elaborated on the institution's financial assistance mechanisms for innovation-driven projects and explained how incubation centres can convert agricultural ideas into commercially viable enterprises.

Singh also assured the students and KVK Bhagalpur of NABARD's cooperation in developing agri-tourism at the centre — a move that, according to officials, could open entrepreneurial pathways for both students and the farming community.

The 'One Student, One Farmer, One Solution' Initiative

Dr R.K. Sohane, Director of Extension Education at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, stressed the core objectives of the RAWE programme and spotlighted the concept of 'One Student, One Farmer, One Solution'. He urged students to engage with farmers' real-world challenges during field visits and develop solutions tailored to local conditions rather than relying on generic prescriptions.

Students Aditi Pandey and Swapnil presented their work under this initiative, documenting farmers' problems and proposing practical, ground-level solutions — a demonstration of the programme's hands-on pedagogical approach.

KVK Bhagalpur's Extension Role

Dr Anita Kumari, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK Bhagalpur, outlined the centre's ongoing extension and technical activities in support of the farming community. She also highlighted the KVK's active exploration of agri-tourism as an additional revenue and engagement channel for rural stakeholders.

Officials and Proceedings

The event was attended by senior officials from both Bihar Agricultural University and NABARD, including Dr Abhay Mankar, Deputy Director of Training, and NABARD Assistant General Managers Nitesh Kumar and Lalan Kumar. The session concluded with an open question-and-answer exchange between students, NABARD officials, and agricultural scientists — giving participants direct access to guidance on scheme eligibility, project formulation, and career pathways in agriculture.

As rural agri-entrepreneurship gains traction in Bihar's policy agenda, programmes such as this are expected to play a growing role in bridging the gap between institutional support and ground-level implementation.