Kathmandu, Jan. 20: Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya has spoken of the need for Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to identify farmers’ needs and provide them loans in an easy way.

Mr Acharya, while addressing the 33rd anniversary function of the ADB and employees reconciliation function here today, spoke of the need for institutionalised development of the organisations involved in poverty alleviation by discussing what facilities we can provide to them so that they are not deprived of facilities aimed at improving their financial status.

On the occasion, Mr Acharya also presented medals and letters of honour to the bank employees who completed 25 years of service, and prizes to athletes winning the marathon race.

The Finance Minister also gave away prizes to children winning a painting competition and small farmers cooperatives for their best performance.

ADB General Manager Devendra Pratap Shaha said from this year, the bank has started two more programmes, B.P. With the Poor and Awareness Programme, and also spoke of the need for employees to work with utmost honesty and sincerity so that people can benefit from it.

ADB chairman Dr Bimal Prasad Koirala, chairman of the small farmers cooperative ‘Ananda Bon’ Shukdev Sharma and ex-employee Uttam Narayan Shrestha also expressed their views on the occasion.