Bhubaneswar: Nabard organised a two-day state-level planning and workshop to sensitise the implementing departments of the state government on various aspects on loan under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.

Finance and excise minister Shashi Bhusan Behera inaugurated the workshop on Friday.

The minister said the development of agriculture, on which more than 75 per cent of the Odisha population directly depends, is directly dependent on rural infrastructure.

"Rural infrastructure investments help raise the socio-economic status of the rural people through increased income levels and better quality of life," he said. "Through their support, the state government has excelled in quality project implementation."

He also urged the implementing departments and Nabard to work in close coordination so that the state continues to get optimum benefit.

Nabard targets to sanction around Rs 2,500 crore to the Odisha government for rural infrastructure development during 2018-19.