Emergency agricultural credit

A Trust Fund will be established by the Government of Bolivia"s P.L. 480, Title III Secretariat to channel credit to farmers through private sector intermediate credit institutions (ICI"s). A total of 5,000 loans will enable farmers to purchase seeds, fertilizers, agricultural implements, veterinary medicines, related agricultural and livestock inputs (except pesticides) and to cover harvesting and marketing costs. All legitimate crops, plus livestock activities, will be eligible for financing. The recipients of project credit will be small and medium-sized farmers in the main agricultural areas - the altiplano, the intermediate zones, and the lowlands. Loans extended in the altiplano are expected to benefit small farmers exclusively, while those administered in the lowlands are expected to benefit a combination of small-, medium-, and large-scale farmers. To assure predominant participation by small- and medium-scale farmers, the Secretariat will develop special credit programs for small farmers not served by the ICI"s. A total of 40,000 ha of land will be planted.