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Kisan Credit Card: A Boon for Indian Farmers

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Swaroop Mane
Kisan Credit Card: A Boon for Indian Farmers

The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was introduced by the Government of India in 1998 to provide short-term crop loans to farmers at affordable interest rates. The scheme has been a major success, with over 12 crore farmers having availed of KCC loans to date.


KCC loans are available to all farmers who own agricultural land, regardless of their size of landholding. The amount of loan that a farmer can avail of depends on the size of their landholding, their repayment capacity, and the crop that they are growing. The interest rate on KCC loans is fixed by the Reserve Bank of India and is usually lower than the interest rate on other types of crop loans.


KCC loans can be used to purchase agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery. They can also be used to meet the working capital needs of farmers, such as the cost of hiring labor and transporting produce.


KCC loans are repayable in installments over a period of up to three years. The repayment schedule is flexible and can be tailored to the needs of the farmer. In case of crop failure, farmers are given a grace period of one year to repay the loan.


The KCC scheme has had a number of benefits for Indian farmers. It has helped to increase agricultural production, improve the incomes of farmers, and reduce their dependence on moneylenders. The scheme has also helped to promote financial inclusion in rural areas.


Benefits of KCC loans for farmers:


  • Easy access to credit: KCC loans are available to all farmers, regardless of their size of landholding. This makes it easy for farmers to access the credit they need to finance their agricultural activities.
  • Affordable interest rates: The interest rate on KCC loans is fixed by the Reserve Bank of India and is usually lower than the interest rate on other types of crop loans. This helps farmers to save money on interest costs.
  • Flexible repayment terms: KCC loans are repayable in installments over a period of up to three years. The repayment schedule is flexible and can be tailored to the needs of the farmer. This helps farmers to manage their cash flow and avoid defaulting on their loans.
  • Guaranteed loan amount: The KCC scheme is backed by the Government of India, which provides a guarantee to banks against default on loans. This makes it easier for banks to lend to farmers and helps to reduce the risk of default.


The KCC scheme has been a major success in helping Indian farmers to improve their productivity and incomes. The scheme has also helped to promote financial inclusion in rural areas. The KCC scheme is a valuable tool for rural development and should be continued and expanded in the future.


Challenges faced by the KCC scheme:


  • Lack of awareness: Many farmers are still not aware of the KCC scheme or its benefits. This is a major challenge to the success of the scheme.
  • High documentation requirements: The documentation requirements for KCC loans are often complex and time-consuming. This can be a barrier for some farmers.
  • Low repayment rates: The repayment rates for KCC loans are often low. This is a major challenge to the sustainability of the scheme.


The government and financial banks need to take steps to address these challenges in order to ensure the continued success of the KCC scheme. The government can increase awareness of the scheme through its rural development programs. It can also simplify the documentation requirements and provide financial assistance to banks to cover the costs of defaults. Banks can also improve their lending practices and provide more flexible repayment terms to farmers.

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