IMPACT OF KISAN CREDIT CARD SCHEME ON FARM ECONOMY OF FARMERS IN KARNAL DISTRICT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO WHEAT CROP

The Kisan Credit Card scheme was introduced by NABARD in the year 1998-98 to simplify credit delivery mechanism and provide timely credit to the farmers for their cultivation needs in a cost effective manner. The scheme is being implemented across the country as well as in Haryana from its year of launch. The present study has been carried out in Karnal district of Haryana to analyse the impact of Kisan Credit Card Scheme on the farm economy of beneficiary farmers in case of wheat crop cultivation. The study has been carried out in the three purposively selected blocks named Asandh, Nissing and Karnal from Karnal district. The selection of bank agencies (PNB bank, RRBs and co-operative banks) for the blocks was on the basis of ranks given in the area and KCC issued, i.e. highest area covered blocks under wheat and paddy taken the bank agency which issued a maximum to the number of KCCs and so on. Thus, a sample of 90 beneficiary farmers was selected from the randomly selected branches of PNB bank, regional rural banks and cooperatives Banks irrespective of the blocks Assandh, Nissing and Karnal. From the same study area a sample of 90 non-beneficiary farmers was also taken for comparative analysis. The selected farmers were interviewed with well structured and pre-tested questionnaire for the year 2014-15. The present study concludes that the KCC scheme has a positive impact on the farm economy of beneficiary farmers in the district. The cost, returns, production, productivity and employment have been recorded higher on the farms of beneficiary farmers than non-beneficiary farmers due to use of availed credit through KCC scheme. For proper utilization of availed credit, the study also suggested for taking appropriate steps by government to ensure the timely availability of better quality inputs by improving market infrastructure.