RBI/ 2004/ 264
DBOD.BP.BC. 102 / 21.04.048/ 2003-04

June 24, 2004

All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)

Dear Sir,

Annual Policy Statement for the year 2004-05 – Prudential Norms for Agricultural Advances

In terms of paragraph No. 4.2.12 of the Master Circular DBOD.No.BP.BC.15/ 21.04.048/ 2002-03 dated August 22, 2003 relating to income recognition, asset classification and provisioning, all direct agricultural advances as listed in the Annexure II to the circular would become NPA, when interest and / or instalment of principal remains unpaid after it has become due for two harvest seasons, not exceeding two half years.

2. In this connection, please refer to paragraph No.84 of the annual policy Statement for the year 2004-05 enclosed with Governor's letter No.MPD.BC.249/07.01.279/2003-04 dated May 18, 2004 (copy of the paragraph enclosed). As mentioned therein, in the case of long duration crops, the current prescription of 'not exceeding two half-years' is inadequate. In order to align the repayment dates with harvesting of crops, it has been decided that with effect from September 30, 2004 the following revised norms will be applicable to all direct agricultural advances as listed in the Annex :

1. A loan granted for short duration crops will be treated as NPA, if the instalment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for two crop seasons.
2. A loan granted for long duration crops will be treated as NPA, if the instalment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop season.

3. For the purpose of these guidelines, 'long duration' crops would be crops with crop season longer than one year and crops, which are not 'long duration' crops, would be treated as 'short duration' crops.

4. The crop season for each crop, which means the period up to harvesting of the crops raised, would be as determined by the State Level Bankers' Committee in each State.

5. Depending upon the duration of crops raised by an agriculturist, the above NPA norms would also be made applicable to agricultural term loans availed of by him. In respect of agricultural loans, other than those specified in the Annex and term loans given to non-agriculturists, identification of NPAs would be done on the same basis as non agricultural advances which, at present, is the 90 days delinquency norm.

6. Banks are urged to ensure that while granting loans and advances, realistic repayment schedules may be fixed on the basis of cash flows / fluidity with the borrowers. This would go a long way to facilitate prompt repayment by the borrowers and thus improve the record of recovery in agricultural advances.

7. In case, banks require any clarifications on the above guidelines, they may approach the Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Rural Planning & Credit Department at the following address :

84. As per the extant norms, advances granted for agricultural purposes are treated as NPA where interest and/or instalment of principal remain unpaid after it has become due for two harvest seasons but for a period not exceeding two half years. However, in the case of longer duration crops, the current prescription of not exceeding two half years is inadequate. In order to align the repayment dates with harvesting of crops, it is proposed that:

• A loan granted for short duration crops will be treated as an NPA if the instalment of the principal or interest thereon remains unpaid for two crop seasons beyond the due date.

• A loan granted for long duration crops will be treated as an NPA if the instalment of the principal or interest thereon remains unpaid for one crop season beyond the due date.

• All the above prescriptions of crop loans would also be applicable, mutatis mutandis, to agricultural term loans. "

Relevant extract of the list of direct agricultural advances from the Master Circular on lending to priority sector –
RPCD. PLAN. BC. 42A/ 04.09.01/ 2001-02 dated 11 November, 2002.

1.1 Direct Finance to Farmers for Agricultural Purposes

1.1.1 Short-term loans for raising crops i.e. for crop loans. In addition, advances upto Rs.5 lakh to farmers against pledge/ hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a period not exceeding 12 months, where the farmers were given crop loans for raising the produce, provided the borrowers draw credit from one bank.

1.1.2 Medium and long-term loans (Provided directly to farmers for financing production and development needs).

(i) Purchase of agricultural implements and machinery

(ii) Development of irrigation potential through –

(iii) Reclamation and Land Development Schemes

Bunding of farm lands, levelling of land, terracing, conversion of dry paddy lands into wet irrigable paddy lands, wasteland development, development of farm drainage, reclamation of soil lands and prevention of salinisation, reclamation of ravine lands, purchase of bulldozers, etc.

(iv) Construction of farm buildings and structures, etc.

Bullock sheds, implement sheds, tractor and truck sheds, farm stores, etc.

(v) Construction and running of storage facilities

Construction and running of warehouses, godowns, silos and loans granted to farmer for establishing cold storages used for storing own produce.

(vi) Production and processing of hybrid seeds for crops.

(vii) Payment of irrigation charges, etc.

Charges for hired water from wells and tube wells, canal water charges, maintenance and upkeep of oil engines and electric motors, payment of labour charges, electricity charges, marketing charges, service charges to Customs Service Units, payment of development cess, etc.

(viii) Other types of direct finance to farmers

(a) Short-term loans

To traditional/non-traditional plantations and horticulture.

(b) Medium and long term loans

1. Development loans to all plantations, horticulture, forestry and wasteland.

2. Financing of small and marginal farmers for purchase of land for agricultural purposes.