WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1981
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FARMERS GET MILLIONS IN LOANS FROM TWO FUNDS
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LOANS TOTALLING NEARLY $11 MILLION WERE MADE TO FARMERS INDIVIDUALLY AND THROUGH COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES LAST YEAR, PROVIDING THEM WITH EITHER DEVELOPMENT OR WORKING CAPITAL, THROUGH' TWO TRUST FUNDS SET UP ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO.
THE TWO TRUST FUNDS, THE KADOOR IE AGRICULTURAL AID LOAN FUND, AND THE J.E. JOSEPH TRUST FUND, WERE ESTABLISHED WITH DONATIONS AND GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP FARMERS TIDE OVER DISASTROUS FLOODS AND OTHER MISHAPS, AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH FUNDS FOR PURCHASING LIVESTOCK AND FEED, FERTILIZERS, INSECTICIDES, SEEDS AND PLANTING MATERIAL, LAND FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT, WATER SUPPLIES, CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS FOR LIVESTOCK AND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF FISH PONDS.
WHILE BOTH FUNDS CHARGE NOMINAL INTEREST RATES, THE KADOOR IE FUND PLACES EMPHASIS ON LOANS TO INDIVIDUAL FARMERS, AND THE J.E. JOSEPH FUND LENDS MAINLY THROUGH COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES WHICH IN TURN LEND TO THEIR MEMBERS.
AS MARKET PRICES FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WERE FAVOURABLE TO PRODUCERS, REPAYMENT WAS VERY SATISFACTORY, AMOUNTING TO 98 PER CENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
EFFORTS WERE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE METHOD OF RECOVERY OF LOANS DID NOT CAUSE UNDUE HARDSHIP OR DETER GENUINE FARMERS FROM APPLYING FOR NEW ONES, AND EXTENSIONS OF THE LOAN PERIOD WERE GIVEN ON MANY OCCASIONS.
MANY THOUSANDS OF FARMERS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE LOAN SCHEMES SINCE THEY WERE STARTED.
CHINESE BILLIARDS COMPETITION IN TAI PO
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A TWO-DAY CHINESE BILLIARDS COMPETITION FOR LOCAL YOUNGSTERS AGED BELOW 16 IS TO BE HELD IN TAI PO ON AUGUST 14 AND 15.
THE EVENT IS BEING ORGANISED BY MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS INCORPORATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, WITH DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
IT IS HOPED THAT MORE THAN 300 YOUNGSTERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION AT SHUNG TAK PRIMARY SCHOOL.
IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FIVE SECTIONS AND INCLUDE SINGLES AND DOUBLES EVENTS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE NOW FROM TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS AUGUST 10.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 160 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS INCORPORATIONS IN TAI PO, WHICH ORGANISE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING LAUNCH PICNICS, CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS.