The Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers’ Association is pressing Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (APCOB) to broaden its lending practices to include all eligible tenant farmers. This appeal comes amid growing financial distress among cultivators,who are increasingly turning to private lenders due to a lack of access to institutional credit.
A delegation from the association, led by State Secretary M. Haribabu and Krishna District Secretary Panchakarla Rangarao,met with APCOB Managing Director R.V. Ramakrishna to present a memorandum outlining their concerns. The association highlighted that tenant farmers make up approximately 70% to 80% of the agricultural workforce in the state, yet many struggle to secure necessary loans.
Rising costs for essential farming inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and fuel have exacerbated the situation. As cultivation expenses soar, many farmers find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, relying on private moneylenders who impose steep interest rates. The situation is compounded by low market prices for crops, which further diminishes farmers' incomes and hampers their ability to repay loans.
In their memorandum,the association called for APCOB to issue crop loans in line with the established Scale of Finance. They specifically requested loans for sugarcane growers supplying to KCP Sugar Factory, as well as individual loans for holders of Crop Cultivator Rights (CCR) cards based on e-Crop records .
Additionally,the association made several other requests, including the establishment of zero-balance bank accounts for tenant farmers and the elimination of CIBIL score requirements for loan approvals. They also sought financial support for purchasing subsidized agricultural machinery and proposed regular meetings between bank officials and representatives from Revenue and Agriculture Departments to enhance awareness of government welfare initiatives.
The push for improved access to in Andhra Pradesh, where financial instability threatens the livelihoods of many farming families. As the association continues to advocate for these changes,the hope is that APCOB will respond to their urgent needs and help alleviate the financial burdens on tenant farmers.
