From the Joint Director’s Desk

Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Kolkata, a training establishment of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Since its establishment in 1984, BIRD Kolkata has remained committed to strengthening the knowledge, skills and capabilities of professionals engaged in banking, agriculture, and rural development. Over the years, the Institute has evolved into a vibrant centre of learning and professional excellence, supporting individuals and institutions in responding effectively to the changing needs of the rural economy.

Our capacity building initiatives cater to personnel from Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Cluster-Based Business Organization (CBBOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), members of SHG Federations, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs), government departments, Commercial Banks (CBs) and other development institutions. While serving participants from across the country, the Institute places particular emphasis on the development priorities of the Eastern and North-Eastern regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Banking and rural development are undergoing rapid transformation. Technological advancements, climate-related challenges, emerging enterprise models and the growing importance of sustainable and inclusive finance are reshaping the way institutions engage with rural communities. BIRD Kolkata strives to anticipate these changes and align its learning interventions with current and emerging priorities. Our programmes cover agricultural and rural finance, climate change, digital banking and cybersecurity, agri-startups, livelihood promotion, group finance, financing of Farmers’ Collectives and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other priority sectors.

The Institute conducts in-house and on-location training programmes, customised programmes for banks and other institutions, workshops, seminars, Training Needs Assessments (TNAs) and studies on contemporary issues. Our programmes for bank officers are designed with careful attention to duration, practical relevance, and application. They seek to develop knowledgeable, skilled and committed agri-lenders who understand both the financial dimensions of rural development and the realities faced by rural communities.

These initiatives are supported by a committed, multidisciplinary faculty team with expertise in economics, finance, agriculture, project appraisal, behavioural science, banking law and practice, management and organisational development and bank supervision.

Our training methodology is participatory, practical, and field-oriented. Interactive classroom sessions are enriched by field and exposure visits, demonstrations, case studies, group discussions, structured deliberations, films and documentaries and interactions with successful agri-preneurs, practitioners and subject experts. This experiential approach enables participants to connect conceptual learning with field realities and translate knowledge into meaningful action.

BIRD Kolkata also designs customised capacity building programmes for rural entrepreneurs, NGOs, government agencies and corporates engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Tailored to the needs of client institutions and target groups, these programmes aim to strengthen competencies, enhance institutional effectiveness, promote sustainable livelihoods and advance inclusive rural development.

At BIRD Kolkata, we believe that meaningful learning extends beyond the transfer of knowledge. It inspires curiosity, builds confidence, shapes attitudes, and empowers individuals to become agents of positive change. Guided by our philosophy, “Learn, Practice and Excel,” we remain committed to nurturing capable professionals, resilient institutions, and a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable rural economy.

Shri Arobinda Kumar Sarkar