New Delhi: G-Card, specific to the spicy herb, Ginger has become India's first commodity based debit cum credit card, which allows the cardholders to conduct many of their daily transactions in a cashless way. This card is a variation of the popular Kisan Credit card.

G-Card was distributed to nearly 3,500 small and marginal farmers growing ginger in the remote militant infested district of Karbi Anglong. This card has brought a lot of benefits to the farmers of the area, who often had to shell out 'revolutionary taxes' on cash transactions. This small yellow piece of plastic with the owner's photograph embedded on it has freed the poor farmers of this nuisance and allows them to sell ginger, buy commodities and get vital support in a more safe and efficient manner.

Besides, providing for cashless transactions, every G-Card holder can also avail a loan of Rs. 10,000, which can be used for development of farming infrastructure and improvement of produce. M. Angamuthu, deputy commissioner Karbi Anglong district and the brain behind the Ginger Growers Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd (Ginfed) said,"G-Card is bar-coded and tamper-proof and is a veritable door-opener. Besides doubling up as an identity card for ginger growers, the G-Card has made most of them bank account holders for the very first time."

Kisan credit cards have become very popular among the farmers and agriculturists in India and according to RBI there are about 66.56 million Kisan Credit Cards in use across India, which have been issued by various banks. Variations like the G-Card to cater to the local conditions will strengthen this movement and bring more people into mainstream banking.