NABARD’s Digital Push Includes AI, Aadhaar and Agri‑Stack

During his address at Mumbai’s Global FinTech Fest 2026, NABARD chairman Shaji Krishnan V highlighted how the bank is weaving together three digital pillars – artificial intelligence, Aadhaar‑based identity and the Agri‑Stack – to modernise rural lending.

The AI‑based on‑demand loan model will evaluate borrowers in real time, using farm‑level data, historical yields and environmental forecasts. This capability aims to deliver credit precisely when farmers need it, cutting approval cycles from weeks to minutes.

Krishnan underscored that the government’s Digital Public Infrastructure has already created a solid foundation for linking rural and urban economies. With nearly half of the nation’s population living in villages, faster credit access is a prerequisite for inclusive development.

The Agri‑Stack, he explained, consolidates land ownership records, crop calendars and farmer profiles into a single, secure platform. When paired with a responsive financing framework, it can match loan products to the specific cycles of each agricultural activity – from seed sowing to harvest.

Despite these advancements, the sector still grapples with limited loan guarantees and insufficient insurance coverage. The chairman reiterated NABARD’s commitment to narrowing the ₹1.3 lakh crore credit gap while maintaining the recent downward trend in agricultural NPAs.