NABARD Showcases Digital Pathways for Rural Growth at GFF 2025

• ‘Credit education of rural customers a morale responsibility of lenders’, said Shaji KV, Chairman NABARD during Global Fintech Fest 2025 address
• Showcases Future-Ready Credit and Agri-Tech Models
• Felicitates Hackathon 2025 Winners

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), took centre stage at the Global Fintech Festival (GFF) 2025, showcasing its commitment and vision for rural transformation through digital innovation, sustainable finance, and technology-driven inclusion. The institution spearheaded a series of high-impact initiatives, including a fireside chat and panel discussions on rural finance and fintech, demonstrations of its advanced digital platforms. A key highlight was the RuralTech CoLab portal (https://ruraltechcolab.nabard.org/) going live at GFF 2025. This tech-enabled platform aims to bring together fintechs, agritechs, and digital service providers to drive scalable, inclusive rural solutions.

Another milestone was the announcement of the first investment under the AgriSURE Fund, jointly promoted by the Union Agriculture Ministry, and NABARD. Fambo Innovation Pvt. Ltd., a startup revolutionizing the agri-food supply chain by directly connecting farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with food businesses such as Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and cloud kitchens was recognised as the first investee startup under the AgriSURE Fund.

The NABARD Hackathon was an opportunity for problem-solvers across India to turn smart ideas into working solutions for rural communities. This year’s challenge focussed on developing low-cost, easy-to-use MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) systems that can measure the impact of climate-friendly farming practices and help small farmers access benefits like carbon credits.

NABARD’s interactive stalls offered attendees a close-up view of solutions for strengthening rural credit systems, cooperative banking, and agritech adoption. At the GFF 2025, NABARD also provided a platform for its supported and funded ventures driving innovation and financial inclusion in rural India. The showcasing entities were:

• Kuberjee Tech Pvt Ltd delivers seamless, technology-driven financial solutions,
• NAVADHAN Capital empowers smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs through accessible credit, and
• SLO Technologies (Advarisk) offers India’s first real-time collateral management platform.

Highlighting NABARD’s vision for rural growth and inclusive finance, NABARD Chairman, Shri Shaji K. V., said, “At NABARD, we are committed to building a sustainable and scalable ecosystem for rural finance. While microfinance has played a key role in promoting financial inclusion, the next phase requires responsible lending, long-term viability, and cost-efficient operations. By prioritising impact over transactional profit, we can ensure credit remains fair, affordable, and accessible to those who need it most. Platforms like the Global FinTech Festival provide an ideal opportunity to explore collaborations that accelerate digital adoption, improve underwriting processes, and present rural communities as empowered and bankable customers.

By integrating fintech and agritech innovations, we can strengthen rural credit systems, promote transparency, and expand outreach to remote communities. NABARD’s strategic initiatives and partnerships are designed to nurture innovation, encourage collaboration, and support sustainable financial practices across the ecosystem. Our vision is to build a resilient rural economy powered by inclusion, technology, and sustainability—one where opportunities are equitable, livelihoods are strengthened, and growth is both scalable and enduring.”

Shri Goverdhan Singh Rawat and Dr. Ajay Kumar Sood, Deputy Managing Directors of NABARD, participated in the panel discussions in  GFF highlighting NABARD’s pivotal role in leveraging digital innovations for rural financial sector aiming at blending technology with inclusivity.

NABARD’s participation at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 reflects its enduring commitment to leverage technology to empower rural communities and accelerate inclusive growth across India.

About NABARD:

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is an apex development financial institution in India. Established on 12 July 1982, with headquarters in Mumbai, NABARD operates with a mission to promote sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural prosperity through effective credit support, related services, institutional development, and other innovative initiatives. NABARD plays a crucial role in fostering rural development, empowering farmers, and catalysing the growth of the rural economy.

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Key Highlights: NABARD at GFF 2025

1. Panel Discussions

At GFF 2025, NABARD led multiple thought-provoking sessions, including panel discussions and fireside chats, covering:

• AI-Driven Financial Inclusion for MSMEs – Deliberating on AI applications for lending, risk assessment, and financial literacy for micro and small enterprises.
• Cyber Resilience in Rural Credit Systems – Ensuring security and robustness in digital credit infrastructure.
• Roots before Returns – Why AgriTech Grows Differently – Covered how agritech grows by prioritizing long-term impact, farmer-centric innovation, and sustainable value alongside financial returns.
• Future of Green Finance: Aligning DFI and MDBs Green Financing Strategies with AI and Fintech – Experts also deliberated on the future of agritech and green finance, highlighting the role of AI and fintech in building sustainable rural ecosystems.

2. Digital Transformation in Rural Finance

Centralized Digital Credit Infrastructure (CDCI) – Jan Sethu

• A cloud-based, API-driven platform developed for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in collaboration with Online PSB Loans Ltd. (OPL).
• Automates the credit lifecycle, ensuring faster processing, enhanced security, seamless integration, and cost efficiency.
• Connects farmers, agritech startups, and rural communities with data-driven tools, institutional support, and funding—bridging gaps in agri-finance, supply chains, and market access to enable sustainable growth.

Sahakar Sarathi Private Limited (SSPL)

• Supported by the Ministry of Cooperation, the National Cooperative Development Corporation, and NABARD.
• Aims to digitally strengthen over 1,000 rural cooperative banks by providing technology, operational, and support services.
• Focused on scalable, sustainable impact across India’s cooperative banking ecosystem.

3. Hackathon 2025 – Empowering Rural Innovation

• Theme: “Empowering Rural Innovation”, focusing on Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for smallholder agriculture.
• Challenge: Enable carbon credit initiatives, including automated calculation, integration across data sources, and validation for agroforestry and rice-based carbon projects.
• Winners:
  • Mitti Labs – Awarded for their innovative solution.
  • Runner-up: Varaha ClimateAg Pvt Ltd.
  • Third place: Grow Indigo Pvt Ltd.