Kharif Season 2022: Odisha sets target disbursal of Rs 9,000 cr crop loan

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of kharif season this year, the Odisha government has set a target to disburse Rs 9,000 crore crop loan among farmers with the help of cooperative institutions.

Cooperation Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain has directed officials to take steps in order to ensure farmers requiring loans for kharif crop get the same on time. He also emphasized to give priority to small and marginal farmers during the crop loan disbursal.

Sharecroppers and actual farmers must be provided the crop loan with the help of the joint liability groups (JLGs), the minister asked the officials.

Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) must get the priority in receiving the loans for farm and allied activities.

It is worth to mention that 62% of the total crop loans are being provided to farmers in the State through the Odisha State Co-operative Bank, State Central Cooperative Bank and Primary Agriculture Loan Cooperative Samitis.

The Minister also asked to disburse crops loans to farmers for farming of pulses, oil seeds, potato and other economical crops on priority basis.

The State Cooperation Department Secretary has been asked to write to the District Collector to expedite the crop loan disbursal through the cooperative institutions.

Issuance of new Kisan Credit Card to more farmers was also emphasized and the District Central Cooperative Bank, DRCS, Chief District Agricultural officials have been asked to take measures in this regard at the earliest.

In kharif season 2021, a total of 18,61,206 farmers were provided Rs 8,686.40 crore crop loans. During rabi season 2021-2022 the cooperative institutions disbursed record Rs 7,362.47 crore crop loans.