{"id":118196,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/118196/?format=json","text_counter":326,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Mr. Samoei","speaker_title":"The Minister for Agriculture","speaker":{"id":204,"legal_name":"William Samoei Ruto","slug":"william-ruto"},"content":"Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, provision of agricultural credit is the core function of the AFC. Before 2003, the corporation was weighed down by a large portfolio of non- performing loans, and the Government approved a restructuring programme and an injection of funds aimed at resuscitating the institution. As a result of this injection of funds, the corporation resumed lending starting 16th May, 2003 with Schemes Nos. 16 and 17, which benefited small-scale and large-scale borrowers respectively. In June 2003, Scheme No.18, specifically targeted at livestock farmers, was launched in ranching areas; all these three schemes were funded by the Kenya Government as part of the AFC restructuring programme."}