CB felicitates Livestock Development Instructors

Veterinary Surgeons and Livestock Development Instructors (LDIs) who work for the Agro Livestock Development Loan Scheme (ALDLS) were felicitated by the Central Bank in Colombo last week.

ALDLS launched by the CB is in operation islandwide since 2008. The objectives of the ALDLS are to enhance liquid milk production in the country, encourage farmers to adopt modern dairy farming techniques, develop agro-based processing industries and generate more employment opportunities.

Under this scheme, Veterinary Surgeons are responsible for enhancing the knowledge of farmers by conducting classes covering important areas in dairy farming.

With a view to popularising this scheme, Livestock Development Instructors (LDIs) have been given annual targets under four areas, i.e. introducing farmers to financial institutions, artificial insemination, tree and fodder cultivation and establishment of bio gas units.

Officers who achieve or surpass these annual targets are eligible to receive incentive payments from the Central Bank at the end of each year.

In 2008 and 2009 incentive payments were given to 08 and 75 LDIs and they were awarded certificates. In 2010 the number of achievers increased to 108 LDIs. Farmers who needed credit facilities were directed to the Participatory Financial Institutions (PFIs) by the LDIs.