The People’s Bank will be introducing a new loan scheme for farmers known as the ‘Aswenna’ loan scheme under concessionary rates from next week, revealed Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Bandula Gunawardena during the Cabinet briefing held at the Government Information Department today (30).
Under this concessionary loan scheme, farmers would be granted loans for specific crops up to Rs. 3 million.
Further, Cabinet approval has also been received for the establishment of 200 cluster villages and Cabinet nod has been granted for the establishment of 200 retail shops with special focus on export crops enabling farmers to obtain a fair price for their crops.
Minister Chamal Rajapaksa had submitted a Cabinet paper for the cultivation of 1000 hectares under this scheme for cultivation of organic crops, establish 50 green gardens and provision of loans and concessions to small and medium scale rice mill owners. Accordingly, Cabinet approval was given for this proposal yesterday (29).
Minister Bandula Gunawardena also noted that focus has been placed on utilising the rice mills under Sathosa and the Cooperatives in the future.