Agriculture loans: Govt urged to increase bank’s credit share

A gap of Rs446 billion exists between the demand and supply of agro-lending in the country


Our Correspondent May 08, 2015
A gap of Rs446 billion exists between the demand and supply of agro-lending in the country. CREATIVE COMMON

ISLAMABAD:


The National Assembly Standing Committee on Food and Agriculture on Friday urged the government to increase the share of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in agriculture credit – a vehicle used to finance agricultural transactions.


ZTBL officials briefed that there is a gap of Rs446 billion between the demand and supply of agro-lending in the country.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikander Hayat Khan Bosan said that ZTBL is the only bank which gives 92% of its credit to small farmers, while others mostly prefer giving credit to the middle men. The committee recommended the government to increase share in agriculture credit so that more small farmers could be provided loans for improving productivity.

ZTBL Chief Executive Officer Syed Talat Mehmood said that the total demand of agriculture credit in the country is Rs946 billion against the available funds of Rs500 billion during the fiscal year 2014-15.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th,  2015.

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