-The Cabinet noted the following matters submitted by the Minister of Agriculture to implement the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership Programme, operating under the funds of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sri Lanka, in the manner stated below by further expanding the loan facilities granted at present under the programme in terms of the decision taken by the National Steering Committee of the aforesaid Programme.

• To revise the annual interest rate for all loans granted under the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership Programme to 6.5% with immediate effect.

• To provide adjustment credit facility for partner/promoter companies of Agricultural Value Chain Project Development subject to a maximum of US$ 100,000 under the annual interest rate of 6.5%.

• To increase the adjustment credit amount granted to partner/promoter companies of Agricultural Value Chain Project Development from US$ 50,000 to US$100,000.