Rajasthan govt extends crop loan repayment deadline, over 5.5L farmers to benefit

JAIPUR: In a major relief to farmers, the state govt Friday approved an extension of the repayment deadline for short-term, interest-free crop loans disbursed during the Kharif 2025 season.The move is expected to benefit more than 5.57 lakh farmers across the state, especially when farmers are struggling with crop damage due to abrupt weather during the last week of March and the first week of April.State’s junior minister for cooperatives (Independent Charge) Gautam Kumar Dak said that the finance dept has granted approval for the extension of the repayment deadline for the short-term loans.“Farmers who availed loans through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) via central cooperative banks will now be able to repay their loans by May 15, 2026, or within 12 months from the date of availing the loan, whichever is earlier,” he informed.Earlier, the repayment deadline was fixed at March 31, 2026.However, farmers were demanding an extension due to various challenges, including crop damage. The state govt has now accepted, providing much-needed relief.Dak stated that if the deadline was not extended, crop loans amounting to approximately Rs 2,184 crore would become overdue for around 5.57 lakh farmers. “In such a scenario, these farmers would lose the benefit of the zero-interest crop loan scheme. Additionally, they would be liable to pay a penal interest of 2% on the overdue amount,” he added.Authorities emphasised that the extension aims to safeguard farmers from financial stress and ensure continued access to institutional credit at zero interest. “We urge farmers to take advantage of the extended timeline and repay their loans within the revised deadline to retain eligibility under the interest-free scheme,” said an officer.Authorities emphasised that the extension aims to safeguard farmers from financial stress and ensure continued access to institutional credit at zero interest. “We urge farmers to take advantage of the extended timeline and repay their loans within the revised deadline to retain eligibility under the interest-free scheme,” said an officer.