NABARD And CEEW Sign MoU To Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture And Sustainable Livelihoods In Rural India

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), one of Asia’s foremost policy research institutions, to advance climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable rural livelihoods across India. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at integrating innovation, investment, and institutional capacity to develop scalable models for rural climate action—empowering farmers and small enterprises to adapt to climate change while ensuring long-term economic growth.

This landmark collaboration brings together NABARD’s vast financial infrastructure and grassroots reach with CEEW’s analytical and policy expertise. Together, they seek to accelerate India’s transition towards a green and resilient rural economy by promoting diverse, sustainable livelihood opportunities. These will include climate-resilient agricultural practices, decentralized renewable energy (DRE) enterprises, sustainable forestry and agro-forestry systems, and green-linked rural MSMEs. The partnership will also focus on strengthening digital public infrastructure, enhancing access to innovative financial instruments, and channeling green capital through voluntary and rural carbon markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shaji K. V, Chairman of NABARD, emphasized the institution’s long-standing commitment to sustainable rural transformation. “NABARD has long been at the forefront of financing sustainable rural transformation. This collaboration with CEEW will enable us to integrate advanced data systems and climate-resilient tools into our institutional ecosystem. Together, we aim to create scalable solutions for climate-resilient agriculture, expand access to green finance, and enhance the adaptive capacity of India’s farmers and rural enterprises,” he said.

Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, Founder and CEO of CEEW, echoed the same optimism, highlighting the importance of leveraging data, technology, and institutional capacity to build long-term climate resilience. “Through this partnership with NABARD, we will build data-driven and technology-enabled systems that empower farmers, green rural enterprises, and local institutions to thrive in a changing climate. This collaboration will also help mainstream new financial tools—from parametric insurance to voluntary carbon markets—anchored in transparency, inclusion, and resilience. By strengthening institutional capacity and local leadership, we can ensure that climate resilience is built from the ground up and sustained for generations,” he said.

The MoU marks a significant strategic shift—placing climate-resilient agriculture at the heart of rural development, using green finance and carbon markets as key enablers. NABARD has already made major strides in this direction, having established a dedicated Department of Climate Action and Sustainability (DCAS) to guide its green finance strategy. The institution has also piloted initiatives on climate-proofing watershed investments and integrating carbon finance into agricultural value chains.

CEEW’s research has consistently underscored the importance of climate-resilient agriculture, noting that institutional capacity, access to modern technology, and robust financing mechanisms are critical for rural communities to adapt effectively to changing climatic conditions. By linking NABARD’s financial reach and implementation expertise with CEEW’s evidence-based policy and analytical capabilities, this partnership aims to set a new benchmark for sustainable and inclusive rural growth.

Together, NABARD and CEEW envision a future where India’s rural economy becomes both green and resilient—empowered by innovation, strengthened by partnerships, and driven by the collective goal of building climate-smart communities capable of withstanding the challenges of a changing world.