Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa’s agriculture sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are expected to require institutional credit amounting to ₹16,512 crore during the financial year 2026–27, as per projections made by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). This represents a rise of nearly 29 per cent compared to the estimated credit demand of around ₹12,800 crore in the current year.
The estimates are detailed in NABARD’s State Focus Paper for the upcoming financial year. According to the report, the Projected Linked Potential (PLP) for priority sector lending has been assessed at ₹10,339.38 crore for North Goa and ₹6,173.14 crore for South Goa.
NABARD stated that the assessment of credit potential takes into account the policy priorities of both the Central and State governments, along with the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.
Emphasising coordinated action, NABARD noted that banks and the State government must collaborate closely to ensure sufficient and timely flow of credit to key priority areas such as agriculture, MSMEs, education, housing and renewable energy.
Among all sectors, MSMEs are expected to drive the bulk of credit demand. NABARD has pegged the credit requirement for MSMEs at ₹10,800.06 crore, which is nearly 65 per cent of the State’s total projected credit potential. In comparison, MSMEs received credit of ₹9,348 crore in the ongoing financial year.
Reflecting Goa’s service-oriented economy, NABARD observed that MSMEs have shown consistent performance in recent years, with steady growth and satisfactory utilisation of available credit.
At the district level, MSME credit potential in North Goa has been estimated at ₹7,074.58 crore, forming about 76 per cent of the district’s total priority sector lending. A comparable share has been projected for South Goa, where MSME credit potential also constitutes roughly 76 per cent of the priority sector allocation.
The agriculture and allied sectors — covering activities like fisheries, animal husbandry and horticulture — are projected to need ₹5,159.09 crore in credit during 2026–27. An additional ₹552.85 crore has been earmarked for other priority segments, including education, housing and renewable energy.
NABARD explained that the State Focus Paper is prepared following an extensive district-level evaluation of credit needs. The process includes analysing sector-wise demand, activity-specific requirements, and the overall development profile and agricultural economy of each district.
Commenting on the report, NABARD General Manager Sandeep Dharkar said the PLP functions as a strategic planning instrument, helping identify sectoral opportunities, infrastructure requirements and gaps in institutional support.
He added that the PLP for 2026–27 will act as a reference framework for banks and stakeholders, ensuring that institutional credit is aligned with local development priorities and contributes effectively to the growth of priority sectors.
