Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced yesterday that the Cabinet has approved the implementation of “Sarusara,” a revamped Rural Credit Scheme aimed at supporting minor and small-scale farmers engaged in short-term crop cultivation and gardening.
Addressing the media at the Government Information Department, Minister Jayatissa explained that the programme, originally introduced in 2020 by the Rural Development Department under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, provided essential working capital assistance to farmers.
However, due to the enactment of the new Central Bank Act, which prohibits the Central Bank from operating concessionary loan schemes, the government has decided to relaunch “Sarusara” under the Development Finance Department of the Treasury starting in 2025.
The scheme is set to be an annual programme, ensuring consistent support for small-scale farmers. Its objectives include empowering rural farmers, fostering rural development, and strengthening the agricultural sector as a whole.
By reviving “Sarusara,” the government aims to provide crucial financial assistance to farmers, contributing to the overall growth of Sri Lanka’s agricultural economy and enhancing livelihoods in rural areas.
