Status of agricultural loans in mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present study was conducted a status of agricultural loans in mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The area selected for study was a Balh Valley which is the most fertile area in Himachal Pradesh. This area is known for commercial agriculture production. The farmers of these area adopted modern technologies for production and there is requirement of capital. The Bank plays a vital role in this area for meeting capital requirements of the farmers. Through this study we get the information about the banks who provide the agricultural loans and to find that whether the banks were cooperative or polite with their customers or not. We also come to know about the granting process of agricultural loans, through which we find that a huge fluctuations in the data acquired where easy way of granting process was agreed by the most of the respondents, whereas delay in sanction was reported by the different respondents have seen mixed reactions and money was adequate was supported by all. Agricultural loans are generally low interest loans that farmers can avail to run their farming business more efficiently. In India, government banks, co-operative societies, rural and urban banks provide agricultural loans to farmers. Most banks offer retail agri-loan-Kisan Credit Card which is specially designed credit for farmers. Agriculture is the largest sector of the economic activity and has a crucial role to play in the country’s economic development by providing rice, wheat, sugarcane, mango, cotton beans and raw-materials etc. Financial need of the farmers in India are pressing because of their poverty. Small farmers need credit practically for every agricultural operations. It is imperative for the progress agriculture that farmers get enough of credit at the lowest possible rate of interest.