Bengaluru: Widespread crop loss due to excessive rain during the now concluded kharif season has prompted farmer organisations to demand a loan waiver and the setting up of a debt relief commission on the lines of Kerala. Despite the early onset of monsoon in May, sowing took place only on 67.7 lakh hectares as against a target of 82.5 lakh hectares for the June–Sept season. Crops on 5.2 lakh hectares were lost. Northern districts including Kalaburagi, Dharwad, Bidar, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Haveri and Vijayapura, were the worst hit. “Farmers in Karnataka experience only two conditions: Floods due to excessive rains or drought,” said T Yashawanta, state general secretary, Karnataka Pranta Raitha Sangha. “Whether it rains or not, farmers are in distress. We want the govt to formulate a permanent policy to address the issue instead of a piece meal approach. Kerala has set up a debt relief commission; Karnataka must emulate it.” Farmer leaders say efforts were previously made to draft a law at both Centre and state-level to constitute such a commission. Kerala Rajya Sabha member KS Rajesh recently moved a private bill in the Upper House of Parliament, while Maharashtra Lok Sabha member Raju Shetty tabled a similar bill in the Lok Sabha. Yashawanta said farmers will meet chief minister Siddaramaiah next week to press for a state-level law. A delegation may also travel to New Delhi. For 2025–26, the govt has set a target of disbursing Rs 28,000 crore in agricultural loans to 37 lakh farmers, up from Rs 25,000 crore last year, even as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) cut allocations by 40%. By July-end, Rs 8,362.7 crore had been disbursed to 8.7 lakh farmers through cooperative banks. “Loans at current interest rate structure is draconian,” Yashawanta said. “Both the Centre and state should come together and revise credit policy. While loan waiver would be a short-term relief, revival of credit policy would be a permanent solution.” However, state officials say a loan waiver is unlikely given financial constraints. “There is discussion about loan waiver at the govt-level. At present, the agriculture department is conducting a joint survey with the revenue department to assess crop losses. Steps will be taken to provide compensation after the survey,” said YS Patil, agriculture commissioner. Farm loan disbursement Period Loans Farmers Disbursed Benefited 2025–26 ₹28,000 crore 37 lakh ₹8,362.7 crore 8,69,284 2024–25 ₹25,000 crore 35 lakh — — Loan Schemes & Interest Rates Loan Type Loan limit Interest Short-term crop Up to ₹3 lakh 0% Medium-term Up to ₹10 lakh 3% Animal husbandry & fisheries Up to ₹2 lakh 0% Self-help group (SHG) As per scheme 4%
