New Delhi: India’s ground-level credit disbursed to the agriculture sector has increased more than fourfold over the last 11 years, reaching ₹32.50 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, compared with ₹8 lakh crore in FY 2014-15, according to an official government factsheet released on Thursday.

The data highlights the expansion of the rural credit ecosystem and the government’s efforts to improve access to institutional finance for farmers and allied sectors.

Rural Credit Records Strong Growth

According to the factsheet, the rural credit ecosystem expanded at an average annual growth rate of 13 per cent between FY 2014-15 and FY 2023-24.

To strengthen ground-level credit, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has been providing refinance support to banks, enabling greater lending to agriculture and allied activities.

The report also cited findings from NABARD’s Rural Economic Conditions and Sentiments Survey (May 2026), which showed that 77.2 per cent of rural households reported higher consumption levels, indicating improved purchasing power and sustained rural demand.

It further noted that 51 per cent of rural households now rely exclusively on formal credit sources, while over 27 per cent use both institutional and non-institutional channels.

Expansion of Rural Banking Network

The government said the rural banking network has expanded significantly over the past decade.

The number of scheduled commercial bank branches in rural India increased from 41,464 in 2014 to 56,193 by July 2025, marking a growth of over 35 per cent.

In addition, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) now operate through more than 22,000 branches across nearly 700 districts, while cooperative institutions continue to support rural lending through a network comprising 1,458 Urban Cooperative Banks, 34 State Cooperative Banks and 352 District Central Cooperative Banks.

Government Schemes Boost Financial Inclusion

The factsheet said several government initiatives have strengthened financial inclusion and improved access to credit in rural India.

Under the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) framework, banks are required to allocate at least 18 per cent of their adjusted net bank credit towards agriculture.

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has also played a major role in supporting rural households through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

As of July 10, 2026, more than 19.83 lakh SHGs were operational, with cumulative loan disbursements of ₹13.28 lakh crore since the scheme’s inception.

The government also highlighted the contribution of 50,548 Bank Sakhis, who have facilitated access to bank credit exceeding ₹12.18 lakh crore for SHGs since 2013-14.

Jan Dhan Scheme Strengthens Rural Financial Access

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) continues to expand banking access across the country.

According to the factsheet, as of June 24, 2026, more than 58.63 crore Jan Dhan accounts had been opened, with total deposits exceeding ₹3 lakh crore.

Of these, 32.68 crore accounts (55.7 per cent) belong to women, while 45.62 crore accounts (77.8 per cent) are located in rural and semi-urban areas, reflecting the continued expansion of formal banking services in underserved regions.