Agri disbursement: Loans to farmers rise 17%

KARACHI: Agricultural credit disbursement by banks rose to Rs197.361 billion in the first nine months (July-March) of the current fiscal year, which is a 17% increase compared to the corresponding period of previous year, data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) shows.

In absolute terms, credit disbursement to the agricultural sector increased by Rs28.674 billion in July-March 2011-12 from disbursement of Rs168.687 billion in the same period of last year. Five major commercial banks including Allied Bank, Habib Bank, MCB Bank, National Bank and United Bank lent a total of Rs107.640 billion to farmers in July-March 2011-12, up 15.41% from Rs93.268 billion disbursed in July-March 2010-11.

Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, the largest specialised bank, loaned Rs37.844 billion, slightly higher by 1.26% when compared with loans of Rs37.371 billion given in the same period of last year.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2012.