9760 farmers placed orders to getr tractors under BTS: President ZTBL
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Presidnet Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), Ch. Zaka Ashraf on Monday said that as many as 9760 farmers have so far placed their orders for purchasing tractors on subsidized rates under the Benazir Tractor Scheme (BTS) initiated by the government through the ZTBL for the development of agriculture sector in the country. In an exclusive talks with APP, he said that all these farmers have deposited their money and ZTBL has also added its Rs.0.2 million share of subsidy, however he added that delivery of tractors depended on the manufacturing companies. ZTBL President told that the Bank has been providing Rs.0.2 million as subsidy on each tractor whereas the remaining expenditures would be paid by the farmers at their own and the farmers who do not have money could even apply for ZTBL loans to purchase tractor. He said that about 240 farmers are yet to book orders for purchase of the tractor, adding that the Bank authorities have learnt that there were some allotees who have gone abroad or have not applied for some other reasons. Zaka Ashraf said that the Bank management would send them letters to persuade them apply as soon as possible. He said that the distribution was made through transparent manner, and the BTS was applied by providing each district of the country due share. To a question, he said that the tractors provided through BTS could be utilized for commercial purposes adding that a farmer having just 12 acres of land could not utilize the tractor properly, so he could run it on commercial basis. He said that Benazir Tractor Scheme was launched to revolutionize the agriculture sector of the country through mechanization and to achieve self-sufficiency. He added that the scheme would help provide modern agri-equipments to growers to bring green revolution in the country besides making the country self-sufficient in food grain production and improve the livelihood of the farmers living in rural areas. Under the two-year scheme, 10,000 tractors would be provided to farmers in the first year, while a similar number will be provided in the next financial year. The government would provide Rs.2 billion subsidy on 10,000 tractors which comes to Rs.200,000 on each tractor this year. The Bank had issued over 400,000 application forms, and had received 303,693 applications in return from which 10,000 were accepted through balloting. To a question, he said that the Bank has taken many initiatives to facilitate farmers, adding that it has recently launched loan in kind scheme to lend the farmers fertilizer, pesticide and seeds. He said that this initiative would be helpful for farmers as they could get all these inputs at appropriate time, and thereby help enhance agriculture yield. To a question, he said that the Bank during the current year has disbursed loans of Rs.76 billion; adding that the percentage of non-performing loans have been reduced as low as 14 percent. APP/Hamid/nsr

Category: GENERAL

Date:2009-11-23 21:05:35