Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank: for Plantation (Tea)

Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank: for Plantation (Tea) is a state-level scheme of Tamil Nadu that supports farmers by giving financial credit of up to ₹33,000 per acre for tea cultivation at an interest rate between 11% and 12.5%.

Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department of Tamil Nadu runs this scheme through the cooperative banking network. Farmers who are members of the local cooperative bank can get this loan to start, manage or expand their tea gardens. The scheme is still listed on the official Tamil Nadu government portal for the current financial year 2026-27, so eligible farmers can approach their local branch and apply.

Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank: for Plantation (Tea) - Overview

Tea farming needs steady money for planting, replanting, fertilizers and upkeep of the garden. This scheme gives institutional credit at cooperative rates so that small and medium tea growers in hill areas like Nilgiris can manage these costs without depending on costly private loans.

The loan amount is fixed at ₹33,000 per acre of land used for tea plantation. Interest is charged between 11% and 12.5% per annum, which is lower than most commercial bank options. The money is meant to be used only for the tea plantation project, so it helps the farmer build a long-term crop instead of spending on other needs.

To get the benefit, a farmer must be a permanent resident of Tamil Nadu and actively involved in farming. Membership of the local Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank is needed, and the farmer must hold land suitable for tea or have a valid lease agreement.

Benefits

This scheme gives a focused financial push to tea farmers so they can run their gardens smoothly. The credit covers the main costs of plantation work and keeps the interest burden low.

• Loan support of up to ₹33,000 per acre helps cover planting, replanting and maintenance of tea gardens.
• Cooperative interest rates between 11% and 12.5% keep the cost of borrowing lower than most private lenders.
• Small and medium tea growers in hill areas get a steady source of credit for long-term plantation development.

Eligibility

Farmers who want to apply should check the basic conditions before visiting the bank. The main points are given below.

• Applicant should be a permanent resident of Tamil Nadu and actively involved in farming.
• Applicant should be a member of the local Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank.
• Applicant should hold land suitable for tea cultivation or have a valid lease agreement for the land.
• The loan money must be used only for the tea plantation project.

Application Process

Application is done offline through the local cooperative bank branch. Follow the steps below to complete the process.

STEP 1 - Visit the local branch of the Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank and confirm that you are a member. If you are not a member, complete the membership process first.

STEP 2 - Meet the Secretary or Special Officer and collect the official application form for the plantation loan.

STEP 3 - Fill in all the required details carefully, attach a recent passport-sized photograph and sign the form.

STEP 4 - Attach copies of your land records, identity documents and any other papers asked by the branch.

STEP 5 - Submit the completed set to the bank officer and take an acknowledgment receipt for your records. Bank officials may do a field check of the plantation land before the loan is approved.

Documents

Keep the paperwork ready so that the application is not delayed. The documents needed are listed below.

• Valid identity proof such as Aadhaar card or PAN card.
• Current address proof.
• Land ownership documents or a formal lease agreement for the tea garden.
• Membership certificate of the cooperative bank and bank account details.
• Any other documents requested by the local branch.

References

For the latest list of schemes and official guidelines, visit the Tamil Nadu government portal:

Official Tamil Nadu Government Scheme List

FAQ's

What is the main aim of this scheme?

This scheme helps tea farmers get a loan of up to ₹33,000 per acre at an interest rate between 11% and 12.5% to manage their tea plantation.

What is the maximum loan amount?

A farmer can get a loan of up to ₹33,000 for every acre of land used for tea plantation.

What interest rate should a farmer expect?

The interest rate is between 11% and 12.5% per annum, though it may be revised by the bank from time to time.

What documents are needed to apply?

Identity proof, address proof, land ownership or lease documents, cooperative bank membership certificate and bank account details are required.

Is there an age or income limit?

There is no strict age or income bar defined. A farmer who is a resident of Tamil Nadu and a member of the cooperative bank can apply.

Where should the application be submitted?

The application is submitted at the nearest Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank branch.

Are there any application fees?

Farmers should check with the bank officials whether any processing or administrative fee applies to the loan.

Can the loan be used for crops other than tea?

No, this loan is meant only for tea plantation work.

Is there a deadline for applying?

The scheme does not have a fixed end date, but farmers should check with their local branch for the latest information.