AS PART OF effort to reduce rural poverty, an Emerald Green Project is being implemented in Thaton District, Mon State by the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development, with plans to spend Ks60 million to improve the economic status of local fishermen.
Under the programme, loans will be offered this year to residents living in target areas, including two villages from Thaton Township, two from Paung Township, three from Kyaikhto Township and three from Bilin Township, said U Soe Win Zaw, head of Thaton District Fisheries Department.
There are approximately around 60 fishing villages across Thaton District.
The authorities are now providing training related to the project to locals with the aim of promoting public understanding about the loan programme.
Loans with very low interest rates will be disbursed in the project areas through newly formed committees in the villages, said U Soe Win Zaw, who added that the project will help families increase their incomes, aid the village in manufacturing and upgrade the livelihoods of fishermen.
The government selects villages for the programme under its rules, which gives priority to needy fishing villages with good transport facilities and with at least 80 households. A local fish catcher who resides in Budinchaung Village said the villagers have different plans to promote their livelihood through the new loans, which will have an interest rate of between Ks0.5 and Ks1.5.—Myitmakha News Agency
Source: Global New Light of Myanmar
