April 13, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1427

ISLAMABAD, April 12: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) has increased the maximum credit limit to 17 minor crops and 27 mature orchards in order to enable the farmers to purchase quality inputs and raise the production of various crops and fruits.

The bank had increased the credit limit per acre to minor crops by 52 per cent to 344 per cent and to mature orchards and fruit crops by two per cent to 120 per cent, stated an official announcement here on Wednesday.

The increase in maximum credit limit to 17 minor crops included gram from Rs2,015 to Rs4,000, mash from Rs1,190 to Rs3,000, lentil from Rs1,350 to Rs6,000, bajra from Rs1,750 to Rs4,000, jawar from Rs1,875 to Rs5,000, rape/mustered seed from Rs1,030 to Rs5,600, castor oil from Rs1,600 to Rs6,000 and groundnut from Rs2,890 to Rs9,000.

The bank has also increased the per acre credit limit to 27 mature orchards and fruit crops keeping in view the escalation in prices of different inputs used by the farmers.

The per acre credit limit to the orchard of mango has been fixed at Rs30,000, citrus and apple Rs34,000 each, banana Rs37,000, almonds Rs20,000, dates, apricot, peach, cherry and strawberry at Rs25,000 and palm at Rs15,000.

In order to meet the genuine credit needs of the farming community on time, the field functionaries have been advised to process, sanction and disburse production loans according to the actual assessment at the time of lending within the maximum per acre credit limit.