NABARD – SDC rural innovation fund

NABARD – SDC RURAL INNOVATION FUND (RIF) was started to facilitate the innovative streak of rural India

The fund managed by The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development gives grants and funding to innovative ideas that have commercial and social benefits. A description of some of the most recently funded projects during this year can be found in the pdf document below. Some of the projects which got funding involve the cultivation of neem, tea, mushrooms, and several renewable energy projects.

Nabard Rural Innovation Fund – Projects List

Any Indian citizen can avail of funding from the Rural Innovation Fund by applying in the prescribed form as given on the Nabard website. Maximum funding of up to Rs 30 lakhs is provided by Nabard per project on approval.

What is RIF?

Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) is a fund designed to support innovative, risk-friendly, unconventional experiments in Farm, Non-Farm and micro-Finance sectors that would have the potential to promote livelihood opportunities and employment in rural areas.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rural Innovation Fund

What are the guiding principles for the operations of RIF?

The guiding principles for the operations of RIF are broad as indicated below: The activities must have the rural poor in their focus and must be innovative, experimental, and demonstrative in nature leading to replicability and commercial viability.

The activities funded may involve the development of new products, processes, prototypes, technology, patenting, and extension support. Appropriate action research and studies contributing to a better understanding of rural development issues, policy, and process implementation may be undertaken.