3
going for MNREGA work. Also, as many as 52 KCC farmers reported that at least
one of their family members was a member of a SHG or JLG or Farmers Club.
8.
The average size of land holding of total sample was estimated at 5.21 acres of
which about 64 percent area was irrigated. About 4.5 percent of sample farmers
had leased out some portion of their land holdings on account of their engagement
in other occupation/ service/ business or absenteeism from the location. As
many as 80 farmers (11.2% of the sample) were reported to have leased-in some
additional land either to make optimum use of resources available with them or
to meet out their consumption needs. Quite a good number of sample farmers
(25%) owned tractors. Pump set is another important farm asset which was
owned by about 51 per cent of the farmers.
9.
The average income per farmer per annum across the total sample was estimated
to Rs. 213687 and was varying between Rs. 68180 (Darrang, Assam) to Rs.
585671 (Kapurthala, Punjab). Cultivation (66.7% of total income) was reported
as the major source of income of the farmers selected for the study. Income from
livestock farming accounted for 9.9 per cent of total income of the farmer. Other
sources (other than farming, livestock, wage employment, service & Business)
accounted for about 11.3 per cent of total income of the farmers. Other sources
include self-employment activities viz., remittances from foreign,
Aadatia
,
tailoring, etc.
Awareness of Branch Managers about the Revised KCC Scheme
10. A total of 71 bank branches covering 24 branches of 10 commercial banks, 25
branches of 11 RRBs and 22 branches of 11 DCCBs/ Apex Coop banks were
covered in the present study. As far as awareness about revised guidelines on
KCC (March/ May 2012) is concerned, it was observed that all the 71 Branch
Managers were aware about 5 year validity of Kisan Credit cards and adding up
of 10% and 20% over and above the crop loan requirement while fixing the KCC
limit. Though most of the managers were clear that 10% is towards consumption
purpose, but, majority of them were not clear about the exact use of 20% of limit
which is to be extended towards repair and maintenance of farm assets, crop
insurance, PAIS and asset insurance. Some of them were of the view that unless
receipt is produced, ‘asset maintenance’ component cannot be given.
Fixation of Scale of Finance
:
11. The general approach of fixation of crop-wise Scale of Finance (SOF) in five states
(Assam, Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka) was almost the same and was
limited to accounting for the expenditure incurred on cultivation of field crops.
However, a single SOF was being prescribed for each crop for the entire state
in Punjab (not district-wise). Further, the SOF in Punjab also includes (unlike
in other 5 states) additional 10 per cent of it towards post-harvest/ household/
consumption requirement and additional 20 per cent towards repair and
maintenance of farm assets and insurance.
