Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Agriculture

04-December-2012 16:22 IST

The Government has implemented Rehabilitation Package for distressed farmers. Also to address the indebtedness problems of farmers, a scheme of Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Policy for farmers was announced in 2008-09. Increased availability of agricultural credit at reduced interest rate for timely repayments has also been ensured. The target for 2012-13 has been fixed at Rs. 5,75,000 crore, as against the target of Rs. 4,75,000 crore, for 2011-12. To facilitate flow of credit to farmers and increase financial inclusion, Government is providing Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to all eligible and willing farmers in time bound manner.

At the request of Ministry of Agriculture, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) conducted a comprehensive “Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers” during 2003 in the rural areas collecting information, inter-alia, on receipts and expenses relating to cultivation, farming of animal, non-farm business and wages. The average monthly income per farmer household at all India level during the year 2002-03 was Rs. 2115.

The next “Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers” is scheduled for 2012.

This information was given by Shri Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

MP: DS:CP: KCC (4.12.2012)

Kisan Credit Cards expand credit access and financial inclusion for eligible farmers, supported by raised agricultural credit targets. Provision of Kisan Credit Cards to eligible and willing farmers is advanced to facilitate timely flow of agricultural credit and increase financial inclusion, supported by a Rehabilitation Package and a Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Policy and by elevated agricultural credit targets for 2012-13 compared with the prior year.