Recovery of loans was found to be the most difficult task because the beneficiaries were found to be in various economic compulsions. While evaluating, it was found that they had borrowed money at high interest to purchase of seeds, fertilizers and hiring of labour. This was an eye-opener which in turn brought about a re-thinking in our approach. Agricultural Service Centres as per the recommendations of the Tamilnad Christian Council Economic Life Committee based on the Evaluation Report presented by the Rev. Hartmut Hegler in February 1973 were established in important locations to enable closer contact between the beneficiary and the sponsor. The farmers were given short term loans to purchase quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides for better cultivation of crops through the Rural Service Centres. These Service Centres helped the farmers to get higher return by adopting scientific methods. Six Rural Service Centres were established in the areas where the above Wells and Pumpsets programme was completed namely, Chingleput, Chittoor, Perambalur, Ulundurpet, Nazareth and Salem.

Each Centre was provided with one Power Tiller, two Power Sprayers, and two hand operated Sprayers. The farmers hired these equipments for better cultivation.

Regular Farmers Training Courses were conducted at all our Rural Service Centres twice in a year – “Thai Season” and in “Adi Season”. This was mainly to educate the farmers on agricultural subjects-such as Cultivation of High yielding varieties; plant protection; uses of fertilizers and time of application; irrigation methods and conservation of water; proper maintenance of electric motors and oil engine pumpsets; family budgeting.

We strongly believe that conducting these training courses periodically, helped us not only to teach the farmers on scientific aspects of agriculture, but also assist them to solve their practical and day-today problems connected with cultivation of crops. This was highly appreciated by the farmers and other participants.