The Kisan Credit Card Scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering farmers across India by providing them with easy access to affordable credit. Introduced by the Government of India in 1998, this scheme addresses the financial challenges faced by farmers, enabling them to meet agricultural and ancillary expenses without falling prey to high-interest loans from informal sources.
What is the Kisan Credit Card Scheme?
The Kisan Credit Card Scheme is a government-backed initiative designed to provide farmers with short-term credit for agricultural and allied activities. It enables them to access funds quickly and repay them conveniently, reducing their dependency on informal lenders.
Key benefits of the Kisan Credit Card Scheme:
- Affordable credit: Farmers can avail loans at subsidised interest rates, minimising their financial burden.
- Flexible repayment options: The scheme offers repayment tenures aligned with crop cycles, ensuring farmers have ample time to repay.
- Subsidies: Eligible farmers can benefit from government subsidies on interest, reducing their effective borrowing cost.
- Crop insurance: The KCC scheme includes coverage against crop failure due to natural calamities, ensuring financial protection.
- Convenience: Farmers can use their KCC like a debit card to withdraw funds as needed, up to their approved credit limit.
Why it matters: With the KCC scheme, farmers can focus on improving productivity and profitability without worrying about financial constraints.