At Civil Services Day in New Delhi, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for a farmer-centric overhaul of agricultural finance, stressing simpler, humane, and outcome-driven systems. Drawing from his rural upbringing, he highlighted how exploitative moneylending once forced farmers into high-interest debt, and said that despite schemes like Kisan Credit Cards improving access to credit, loan procedures remain complex and burdensome.
He urged banks and institutions to reduce paperwork, improve on-ground implementation, and align services with rural realities. Sensitivity in governance, he noted, is essential, farmers must be treated with dignity, not as supplicants. He also cautioned against over-reliance on technology, citing cases where flawed digital verification caused distress during procurement.
Chouhan flagged staff shortages in rural banks, long travel distances, and delays as major barriers to access. He emphasised the need for higher financial support for advanced farming practices like horticulture and greenhouse cultivation, which require significant upfront investment.
Promoting integrated farming, combining crops with livestock, fisheries, and allied activities—was key to boosting small farmers’ incomes. He concluded by urging practical reforms, better execution of schemes, and innovative thinking among civil servants.
