Farm credit of Rs 8 lakh crore/year needed to attain 4% annual growth

26 Sep 2012 Evaluate

To attain 4% annual growth in the farm sector over the next five years, agri-credit worth Rs 800,000 crore a year would be required, as per the Planning Commission. The estimated credit requirement for the sector is higher than Rs 575,000 crore targeted by the government for the current financial year. Further, the total demand for farm credit in the entire 12th Plan period is projected between Rs 31,24,624 crore and Rs 42,08,454 crore.

The Planning Commission pointing out the problems facing farm credit said, agri-credit continues to overlook certain sub-sectors, the flow of term-lending is retreating and there is massive increase in the share of indirect finance. Further, disappointing credit dispensation by institutions to small and marginal farmers, including by the Cooperative Credit Structure (CCS), which has traditionally catered to smaller farmers.

The Commission also highlighted the need for objective assessment of credit requirement for direct and indirect financials of agriculture and also to re-define the priority lending sectors. It also said that although commercial banks have about 70% share in agri-lending, their rural branches continue to insist on collateral even for small loans, defy regulation. Moreover, delay in stabilization of the business correspondent model and increasingly larger exposures of banks to Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC) for easy compliance with priority lending requirements, is also affecting flow of institutional credit.

Further on the financial health of Long-term Cooperative Credit Structure (LTCCS), the panel said, a quick decision is warranted on the implementation of the revival package for the LTCCS also on the lines of Short-term Cooperative Credit Structure (STCCS).

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×