Dehradun: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Friday organised the first Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting for FY 2026–27 along with a special workshop at its regional office in Dehradun. The initiative focused on reducing skill gaps in rural livelihoods and strengthening employment and self-employment opportunities for youth in Uttarakhand.
Focus on Skill Development and Rural Livelihood Enhancement
The workshop was held on the theme:
“Reducing Skill Gaps for Local Livelihoods in Rural Uttarakhand: District-Level Strategies for Entrepreneurship Promotion and Migration Reduction.”
The key objective of the session was to address rural unemployment challenges by promoting skill development aligned with local economic needs and encouraging entrepreneurship at the district level.
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Key Stakeholders Participate in Dehradun Meeting
The event was inaugurated by Pankaj Yadav, Chief General Manager of NABARD, at the IT Park-based regional office in Dehradun.
Representatives from multiple government departments, financial institutions, and development organisations participated in the meeting, including:
- State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC)
- UKSRLM
- KVIC and KVIB
- Agriculture and Horticulture Departments
- Uttarakhand Gramin Bank
- UKSTCB
- Rural Development Department
- Various NGOs
Dr. Sanjeev Roy, Director of KVIC, also joined the meeting virtually.
Emphasis on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship
A special address was delivered by Dr. Prabhakar C. Bebani, Chief Operating Officer of DDU-GKY, who highlighted the importance of structured district-level strategies for skill development and employment generation.
He stressed that effective implementation of skill training programmes is essential to:
- Create employment opportunities for rural youth
- Promote entrepreneurship and self-employment
- Reduce migration from rural areas
- Strengthen local livelihoods
He also appreciated NABARD’s ongoing initiatives in Uttarakhand, including:
- Skill development training programmes
- Micro Enterprise Development initiatives
- Livelihood Enterprise Development programmes
- Marketing support for rural entrepreneurs
Coordination Between Departments Highlighted
During the meeting, experts emphasised the need for stronger coordination among departments and institutions to ensure better implementation of government schemes.
They noted that improved convergence can:
- Promote entrepreneurship in rural areas
- Reduce migration from hill regions
- Enhance delivery of government schemes
- Ensure integrated services for beneficiaries
- Strengthen sustainable development outcomes
Participants also discussed strategies to improve inter-departmental collaboration for creating long-term employment opportunities at the grassroots level.
Strengthening Rural Economy Through Skill Development
The discussions highlighted that aligning skill development programmes with local employment needs can significantly improve rural livelihoods in Uttarakhand.
Officials noted that targeted training and entrepreneurship support can:
- Boost rural economic growth
- Reduce dependence on migration
- Improve self-employment opportunities
- Strengthen community-based enterprises
NABARD Reaffirms Commitment to Rural Empowerment
NABARD reiterated its commitment to empowering rural youth through continuous support in skill development, training, and employment-oriented initiatives.
The institution aims to:
- Enhance sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural areas
- Promote economic self-reliance among rural communities
- Support balanced regional development
- Strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems in Uttarakhand
The RAC meeting and workshop in Dehradun highlighted a collaborative approach involving government departments, financial institutions, and development agencies to address skill gaps and promote rural entrepreneurship. The initiative is expected to play a key role in reducing migration and strengthening Uttarakhand’s rural economy.
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