An agricultural bank for Malta? : a feasibility study

Abstract

This dissertation studies the feasibility of an agricultural bank in Malta. An agricultural bank is hypothesized as a means to encourage investment in agriculture and to provide the necessary finance for such investment where this is not readily available. The following are the two major issues and findings of this dissertation: 1. The present agricultural credit structure is inadequate. Many farmers are thus finding difficulty in obtaining the appropriate credit for their investments. Maltese farmers are therefore much in favour of an agricultural bank. 2. The present relatively small loan volume, couple with high cost of lending, does not make such a new institution financially viable.