The Minister noted that while the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) has expanded credit access, the next phase should prioritise technology adoption, stronger rural banking, better implementation and integrated farming to raise small farmers’ incomes.
Speaking at a Civil Services Day session at Vigyan Bhawan, Chouhan said loan procedures remain cumbersome, with farmers burdened by layers of paperwork and administrative hurdles, underscoring the need for simplification.
He highlighted the need for greater sensitivity in the system, noting that farmers approach institutions with rights and dignity, not as supplicants. Citing cases of rising debt burdens due to accumulated interest, he suggested practical solutions such as one-time settlements. The Union Minister also cautioned against over-reliance on technology, pointing to issues like satellite-based verification errors during procurement.
Chouhan flagged staff shortages in rural banks, where rising workloads from schemes like DBT, MGNREGA, and PM-KISAN have strained limited personnel, leading to long queues and delays for farmers.
He noted that KCC alone is insufficient for modern agriculture, as high-value activities like horticulture and protected cultivation require larger investments. Enhanced financial support and access to capital are needed to help farmers adopt such practices.
Emphasising integrated farming, Chouhan said small and marginal farmers need to diversify into allied activities such as livestock, fisheries and beekeeping to secure sustainable incomes, backed by better convergence of schemes. On warehouse receipt financing, he stressed the need to make the system more practical so farmers can access timely credit and avoid distress sales. Urging self-reflection and innovation, Chouhan called on civil servants to focus on outcomes, tackle ground-level challenges and turn ideas into effective action for farmers’ welfare.