Tripura’s agriculture needs skilled, farmer-centric banking to ensure timely credit, effective scheme implementation and sustainable rural growth. Experts highlight training gaps, weak coordination and untapped lending potential in strengthening agricultural finance across the state.
Tripura possesses a wide and well-distributed banking network, yet serious concerns are being raised over the effectiveness of banking services in addressing the real needs of farmers. While physical infrastructure and institutional presence are largely in place, experts believe that the success of agricultural development depends not merely on the number of bank branches, but on how sensitively and efficiently they serve the farming community.
Agriculture in Tripura remains highly dependent on seasonal cycles, weather conditions and timely financial inputs. Any delay or mismatch in credit delivery can disrupt crop planning, reduce productivity and directly affect farmers’ incomes. Despite this reality, farmers and agricultural experts point out that many banking services continue to operate with limited understanding of farm-specific requirements, resulting in procedural delays and inadequate loan disbursement.
One of the major challenges identified is the lack of specialised agricultural knowledge among rural banking officials. Several bankers posted in village and semi-urban branches reportedly come from non-agricultural or technical backgrounds such as engineering or commerce. While academically qualified, many of them lack practical exposure to farming activities, livestock management or allied sectors like fisheries and dairy. This knowledge gap often leads to underestimation of actual credit needs and rigid interpretation of guidelines, which does not align with field realities.
Agricultural credit, unlike other forms of lending, is extremely time-sensitive. Farmers must purchase seeds, fertilisers and equipment within fixed seasonal windows. Delayed loan approvals or partial disbursement can result in missed sowing periods, forcing farmers either to borrow from informal sources or abandon cultivation altogether. As once emphasised by the Prime Minister of India, “Everything can wait, but not agriculture,” highlighting the urgency of responsive financial support.
Despite the existence of advanced training institutions, participation from bankers in Tripura remains limited. The Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), established by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), offers specialised programmes in agricultural finance, rural credit planning and allied sector lending. Experts argue that regular training through such institutions would significantly improve bankers’ understanding of schemes like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), dairy entrepreneurship development, fisheries financing and farm mechanisation.
Another pressing concern raised by farmers is poor communication and weak coordination between banks and beneficiaries. Complaints have emerged from areas such as Charilam, where farmers allege that sanctioned loan amounts for dairy activities were far lower than actual project requirements. In some cases, even the approved amount was not fully disbursed. Such experiences have eroded farmers’ trust in institutional banking and discouraged them from seeking formal credit, undermining long-term financial inclusion.
According to Institutional Finance data for the financial year 2024–25, Tripura has a strong banking footprint. The state hosts 175 branches of nationalised banks excluding the State Bank of India, along with 76 SBI branches. Additionally, there are 150 branches of Tripura Gramin Bank, 74 cooperative bank branches and 133 private sector bank branches. Total deposits in the state have reached Rs 45,581.93 crore, while total credit stands at Rs 22,644.73 crore. The Credit-Deposit ratio remains at 50 per cent.
While these figures indicate moderate financial activity, experts see substantial untapped potential for expanding agricultural and allied sector lending. With improved planning and coordination, banks can significantly increase credit flow to small and marginal farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), especially in tribal and remote regions.
Tripura Gramin Bank and cooperative banks are expected to play a pivotal role in reaching underserved areas. Their familiarity with local conditions positions them well to deliver customised financial solutions. However, strengthening financial literacy among farmers and promoting customer-friendly behaviour within banks will be equally important to rebuild confidence.
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Experts also stress the need for closer coordination among banks, agriculture and animal husbandry departments, and NABARD-supported agencies. Integrated planning can help align credit with government schemes, ensuring that financial assistance translates into actual productivity gains on the ground.
Looking ahead, the path to strengthening agriculture in Tripura lies in creating a farmer-centric banking ecosystem. Focused training, improved communication, timely credit delivery and empathetic engagement with farmers can transform existing infrastructure into a powerful driver of rural development. With skilled and sensitive banking support, Tripura’s agricultural sector can achieve sustainable growth and improved livelihoods for its farming community.
