Expanding the ambit of the Rs 60,000 crore farm loan waiver package announced by the UPA Government in its budget, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the scheme would be applicable to allied sectors of agriculture  such as fisheries, poultries and dairies.

Addressing a conference organised by Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA), the minister said fishermen and farmers engaged in aquaculture were also eligible for benefit. However, fishermen who own big boats will not come under the scheme.

In dairy sector those who availed the loan for setting up sheep or goat rearing farms would have their loans waived off. The package would cover both crop loan and term loan of the agriculture sector, including credit availed for raising horticulture crops and procuring equipment like tractors or tillers.

The minister also said he has written to chief ministers to protect farmers from the clutches of illegal moneylenders. “I have also asked the states to supervise the licensed money lenders,” he added.
A delegation of fishermen from Karnataka led by Minister of State for Labour Oscar Fernandes recently met Finance Minister P Chidambaram and requested him to extend the loan waiver scheme to them.