NEW DELHI, 10 July 2025: Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s largest public sector banks, will organise a Mega Agriculture Outreach Programme across the country on July 11, 2025, in a bid to enhance financial inclusion and drive credit growth in rural India.

The initiative is expected to bring together farmers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), agri-entrepreneurs, and grassroots stakeholders, facilitating real-time credit approvals and financial literacy.

Senior leadership including PNB MD & CEO Ashok Chandra, executive directors, and other top officials from the corporate office will participate directly in the initiative, underscoring the bank’s commitment to India’s rural economy.

In a statement, Chandra said, “Agriculture is not just the backbone of our economy but the soul of Bharat. With this mega outreach, we aim to simplify and amplify financial access for farmers and rural communities—making them digitally empowered and economically resilient.”

The programme will be conducted through Krishi Chaupals, Agri Service Booths, and PNB Digital Zones, integrating the bank’s latest digital lending tools like Digi SHG Loan, Digi Gold Loan, and Digi Kisan Tatkal Rin (KTR).

Programme Highlights:

• Empowering SHGs: Promoting micro credit plan-based financing to scale women-led and community enterprises
• Women-Led Growth: Focused credit sanctions for women entrepreneurs and information on government subsidies
• Driving Rural Innovation: Credit support for schemes such as the Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Micro Food Processing Units, Precision Agriculture, National Livestock Mission, and Agro-Processing projects

PNB is positioning the event as part of its broader strategy to foster digital financial inclusion, rural enterprise growth, and gender equity in agri-finance.

Farmers and SHGs can participate by visiting their nearest PNB branches, accessing services via the PNB ONE App, or contacting the bank’s dedicated helplines.