Finance is an important input of agriculture. Sufficient and timely credit to the farmer is vital and indispensable for the rehabilitation and progress of agriculture. The present study was conducted in the West Tripura district of Tripura to analyze the magnitude, utilization, and constraints of farm finance availed by the borrowers in the district. 120 sample farmers and 20 lenders were selected using a purposive random sampling technique for detailed analysis. Data were collected by survey method using pretested schedules. The study revealed an increasing trend in terms of branch expansion, total deposits and advances over the years. Moreover, the C-D ratio increased from 41 in 2013-14to 45.77 in 2017-18. The sector-wise advances of banks showed an increasing trend and percentage share to the agricultural, and non-farm sectors was 27.57 and 72.43 in West Tripura. Inadequacy of loans, and lengthy lending procedures were problems identified by the borrower farmers. The majority of farmers (89.16 percent) opined that the borrowed amount was not adequate for meeting their farm expenses. As per the bank officials, the non-availability of the land records (80 percent) with the borrower was a major problem. To improve borrowing and utilization of farm finance remedial measures such as post-credit supervision by the Bank Field Officer and disbursement of the major portion of the loan in kind form may be adopted.
O Geoscience Education Field Officer