The Tamil Nadu government is set to provide ₹17,000 crore in crop loans to farmers in the coming year. This initiative aims to support the agricultural sector and boost the state's economy. In addition to the crop loans, the government will also provide ₹3,000 crore for livestock development.
In the previous year, the Tamil Nadu government disbursed ₹15,062 crore in crop loans to 17.37 lakh farmers and ₹2,645 crore in livestock loans to 4.43 lakh beneficiaries. The government is building upon this success with the increased allocation for the current year. Farmers can now apply for crop loans online and receive them the same day.
Over the past four years, the Tamil Nadu government has provided ₹53,340 crore in crop loans to over 66.24 lakh farmers through the Cooperation Department. Furthermore, the government has waived jewel loans worth ₹4,904 crore, benefiting over 11.70 lakh people. Loans amounting to ₹2,118.80 crore were also waived for over 1.01 lakh self-help groups (SHGs), and the loan limit for women SHGs was increased.
In addition to crop loans, over 11.88 lakh farmers received ₹6,372 crore in loans for livestock development. Financial support was also extended to other underserved groups, with ₹225.94 crore in loans disbursed to 47,221 differently-abled individuals. About 16,500 working women received loans to the tune of ₹470 crore, and over 49,000 women entrepreneurs were provided with ₹283.27 crore in loans. Under the Annal Ambedkar Business Pioneer Scheme, 86 sanitation workers received ₹52.34 crore in loans to become entrepreneurs, and multi-purpose cooperative societies disbursed loans totaling ₹1,121.31 crore.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, recently launched an instant crop loan scheme under the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS). This scheme allows farmers to apply for loans online and receive the loan amounts on the same day. The scheme was launched on a pilot basis in Dharmapuri, with plans to roll it out across the state.
At the launch event, Stalin stated that his party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, would return to power in 2026 with "Dravidian Model 2.0," which would take the state "to new heights". He also described Tamil Nadu as a trendsetter in welfare, citing schemes like free bus travel for women that have been adopted by other states.
