PARLIAMENT

Hon. Kins Nelson,—To ask the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development,— (1)

(a) Will he inform this House —

(i) whether a loan scheme named “SARUSARA” which gives  loans to small-scale farmers at a concessionary interest rate has been introduced;

(ii) if so, of the objectives of introducing the loan scheme concerned;

(iii) of the number of farmers who have obtained loans under the loan scheme so far;

(iv) of the criteria considered in granting loans under the loan scheme concerned; and

(v) of the measures that are adopted for empowering farmers financially?

(b) If not, why?