An Analysis of Short and Medium Term Loans Availed by SC and STS Through Pacs in Karnataka

Agriculture forms the backbone of the Indian economy and can also largely stand for the prosperity of the Indian economy. Agricultural credit is one of the most crucial inputs in all agricultural development programmes. Access of rural credit has still remained scarce in India. Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) working at grass-root level, having direct contact with the rural people to meet their financial requirements. PACS are playing a crucial role in improving the economic and social conditions of the common masses of Karnataka. They provide short-term and medium-term loan to the members/farmers at reasonable interest rates to meet their various needs. The present study examines the borrowers of primary agricultural cooperative societies in Karnataka and to examine the SC/STs loan performance of primary agricultural cooperative societies in Karnataka between the years of 2002–2014.