CHENNAI: Amid agitations by farmers' associations and political parties seeking an extension of the State's crop loan relief scheme, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday announced a full waiver of crop loans up to Rs 75,000 obtained through cooperative banks by small, marginal and other farmers.
The government on May 25 had announced a waiver of crop loans up to Rs 50,000 availed by small and marginal farmers.
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay chaired a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday after the government received representations from several sections, urging reconsideration of the scheme. Ministers and senior officials from the agriculture, cooperation, finance, planning and development departments participated in the discussions.
Under the revised package, farmers who obtained crop loans through cooperative banks between May 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, will receive a complete waiver if the loan amount is up to Rs 75,000. Farmers with loans above Rs 75,000 will receive a relief amount of Rs 35,000.
The government said 14.43 lakh farmers across Tamil Nadu would benefit from the scheme, which would involve an additional expenditure of Rs 5,932.23 crore.
Officials said the waiver would help farmers obtain fresh institutional credit ahead of the next cultivation season.
14.43 lakh farmers across TN to benefit
Loans up to Rs 75,000 taken between May 1, 2025, and Feb 28, 2026, to be entirely waived
8.33 lakh marginal farmers to get waivers amounting to Rs 3,599.67 cr
5.16 lakh small farmers will get relief worth Rs 1,995.42 cr
93,548 other farmers will receive benefits worth Rs 337.15 cr
Loans above Rs 75,000 will receive a partial waiver of Rs 35,000