GUWAHATI, Oct 23: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has outlined three initiatives to improve farmers’ access to credit, strengthen agricultural infrastructure and expand financial support for cultivation across the state.
In a post on X, Sarma said the measures aligned with the government’s vision of building a prosperous and self-reliant Assam by improving access to finance and supporting farmers.
Under the loan resolution framework, the state aims to cover 3.49 lakh Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts to help eligible farmers settle overdue loans and regain access to institutional credit. The costs of resolving the loans will be shared by the government, farmers and banks. Loans worth Rs 1,741.15 crore have already been covered under the framework, according to the information shared by the Chief Minister.
The government has also set a target of Rs 2,050 crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). The initiative provides for government assistance towards farmers’ initial contributions, loans of up to Rs 22 crore for eligible projects and reduced interest rates for up to seven years, subject to scheme guidelines.
The third initiative involves a partnership between PepsiCo and a bank to improve access to finance for potato farmers. The collaboration aims to provide credit for cultivation expenses and access to quality agricultural inputs, with a focus on improving productivity and strengthening farmers’ links with markets.
The initiatives are aimed at easing credit constraints, developing agricultural infrastructure and creating better financial opportunities for farmers across Assam.
