Agri-PDB Platform Peer-Learning Exchange: NABARD & MAIIC

Learning from NABARD’s Agroecological and Rural Development Practices in India

3-7 November, 2025 | Mumbai, India (On-site)

Introduction

From 3–7 November 2025, the Agri-PDB Platform organized a peer-learning mission to India with the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation (MAIIC), in collaboration with the IFAD Country Office. Working closely with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the mission enabled peer-learning exchange and allowed MAIIC and the Platform to learn from NABARD’s long-standing experience in natural resource management, tribal development, and agroecological rural development.

Mission Overview

The five-day mission combined institutional discussions in Mumbai with field visits in Andhra Pradesh, providing a comprehensive view of how NABARD links development programs, rural institutions, and financial instruments to support agroecological transformation.

During the institutional meetings, NABARD shared its approaches to natural farming, program–product integration, climate-resilient investments. Drawing on decades of experience in watershed, tribal development, and natural farming programmes—especially the flagship JIVA Programme—these insights provided MAIIC with practical guidance to strengthen its agroecological planning.

Across the meetings and the field visits, the mission highlighted strong complementarities between the institutions and reaffirmed the value of this peer-learning exchange in shaping emerging strategies for agroecology-aligned investments.

Field Visit Highlights

During the field visits in Andhra Pradesh, the delegation observed how NABARD and its local partners are advancing agroecological and community-based rural development. Key findings included:

Diversified, climate-resilient farming systems using local seed varieties, natural inputs, and community-managed seed banks.

Strong rural institutions, including Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs)- providing essential services, supporting local processing, and improving market access.

Women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) demonstrating strong savings and lending practices and leading income-generating activities that strengthen household and community resilience.

Integrated livelihood models combining crops, livestock, fisheries, and nutrition-sensitive farming practices, contributing to more stable and diversified rural incomes.

Community governance and monitoring structures that reinforce ownership and long-term sustainability, supported in part by digital and geospatial tools.

Key lessons

The mission underscored the value of South-South peer collaboration between MAIIC and NABARD – facilitated by Agri-PDB Platform – which provided a foundation for continued cooperation. The mission also highlighted the importance of community ownership, women’s participation, diversified production systems, and strong rural institutions, offering practical insights for MAIIC’s agroecological planning in Malawi.

Next Steps with the Agri-PDB Platform

The Agri-PDB Platform will continue supporting collaboration between NABARD and MAIIC by:

Supporting MAIIC in shaping a roadmap for agroecology-aligned investments.

Exploring targeted expert exchanges with NABARD specialists.

Providing continued space for knowledge sharing across the wider PDB network.

The Agri-PDB Platform reaffirms its commitment to strengthening cooperation among Public Development Banks and to fostering structured South–South learning between India and Malawi. Building on the momentum of this mission, the Platform will continue advancing cross-institutional collaboration that supports more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems across its global network.