NABARD, APGB & Aqua Exchange Tie Up for Shrimp Loans

Current Context: On August 11, 2025, NABARD, Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank (APGB), and Aqua Exchange signed an MoU in Veeravalli, Krishna District to launch collateral-free shrimp farming loans.

• The initiative aims to formalize aquaculture financing and reduce reliance on informal credit.
• ₹25 crore will be disbursed to 100 farmers over 3–6 months, starting with ₹1.2 crore to five farmers.
• A Shrimp Farming Rating Score (FRS) will assess creditworthiness, while IoT devices will monitor water quality and disease control.
• Loans will be processed via Aqua Exchange with crop disease insurance.
• The programme targets ₹100 crore disbursement this fiscal and ₹250 crore next year.

Question:

Q.1 On August 11, 2025, NABARD, Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank, and Aqua Exchange signed an MoU in which district to launch collateral-free shrimp farming loans?
a) Guntur
b) Krishna
c) East Godavari
d) Nellore

Answer: b) The MoU was signed in Veeravalli, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. This location is significant as Krishna district is a major aquaculture hub in India.