Assam to offer zero-interest crop loans up to Rs 1 lakh to farmers

State FM says aim is to encourage farmers to avail loans against backdrop of low rural credit flow

To boost the farm sector, Assam will soon launch a "Zero Interest Crop Loan" scheme for farmers, under which they can borrow up to Rs 1 lakh. Presenting the State’s 2017-18 Budget, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the proposal was aimed at encouraging farmers to avail loans against the backdrop of low credit flow in the state's rural regions.

"Financial inclusion is the heart of several programmes of our government. The low credit-deposit ratio in Assam leaves great scope for expansion of credit flow to rural areas, particularly to the farmers. To encourage the uptake of credit by