"It is exciting to have the Year 2005 designated as the Year of MicroCredit, since it helps to raise awareness and facilitate increased dialogue about the importance and benefits of financial services to all households, thus helping to open better channels of dialogue between the farmers and rural households with financial institutions, development agencies, policy makers and businesses", indicates Mr. Calvin Miller, Senior Officer in charge of the FAO Rural Finance Group in the Agricultural Support Systems Division within the Agriculture Department.

The year 2005 has been selected by the United Nations as the International Year of Microcredit. During this year, the international community is called upon to highlight and support microfinance programmes throughout the world. Mr. Ake Olofsson, Rural Finance Officer in FAO explains the importance of the Year