United Commercial Bank Limited, BSAEF Foundation and Bikoshito Bangladesh Foundation held day long ‘Agricultural Entrepreneurs Conference-2021’ on Saturday, October 23 at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Auditorium (BARC).
The program was inaugurated by Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak MP, Minister of Agriculture, and Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, a press release said.
The day-long agri-entrepreneurship conference, divided into three phases. This Program was attended by enthusiastic agri-entrepreneurs from 33 districts. Bangladesh Bank’s agricultural loan department GM Abdul Hakim, Managing Director, UCB Mohammed Shawkat Jamil and Executive Chairman, Agricultural Research Council Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar, were present as special guests at the inaugural session of the conference chaired by former Agriculture Secretary Anwar Farooq. Agriculture Organizer and General Secretary of BSAEF Foundation Professor Rezaul Karim Siddique, gave welcome speech on the occasion.
In the second phase of the conference, ‘Krishak Sanglap’ was held where various agri-entrepreneurs shared their experiences of happiness and sorrow. Former Director General of Fisheries Department Dr. Syed Arif Azad presided over the function, former Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Dr. M A Mueed and Vice President of BSAFE Foundation T.I.M Zahid Hossain, EVP, UCB Javed Iqbal and Director, Ispahani Agro Limited Fawzia Yasmeen were present as expert panelists.
Ekushey Medal winning economist and state minister for planning Dr. Shamsul Alam was present as the chief guest in the closing session of the conference. Raja Saching Prue Chowdhury of the Mong Circle of the Hill Tracts, Managing Director of UCB Mohammed Shawkat Jamil, Additional Managing Director of UCB, Arif Quadri, Deputy Managing Director of UCB ATM Tahmiduzzaman FCS and Dr. Md. Abu Sayeed Miah, Director, Department of Agricultural Extension. This session was presided over by Prof. Nazrul Islam, an agronomist and researcher.
Under the program ‘Bhorosar Notun Janala’, a number of entrepreneurial farmers gathering have been organized from the hilly areas in the south of the country to the far north Panchagarh district, Easy conditional agricultural loans and agricultural incentive assistance have been disbursed. The conference is aimed at finding ‘ways’ to bridge the existing ‘gap’ between agri-entrepreneurs and financial institutions in order to expand the scope of generous financing for the development of improved and prosperous agriculture on easy terms.
Dr. Md. Abdur Razzaque MP said, “Bangladesh is a densely populated country, where India and China have less than 500 people per square kilometer where we have 12 to 13 hundred. Moreover, it is not possible for us to increase the new land to feed the new mouths that are being created every year. That is why we need to modernize and commercialize our farmers. So that the farmers can have a benefit and better life. I want to turn my village into a city through the development of farmers. We are also working to meet this goal.
Mohammed Shawkat Jamil, Managing Director, United Commercial Bank Ltd. said, ‘’Agriculture in Bangladesh is moving forward. , Bangladesh’s agriculture is now export-oriented Thanks to the tireless efforts of the country’s hardworking and creative farmers and the government’s agri-friendly policies and support. Our agriculture is unbeatable and able to move forward by overcoming all obstacles. All that is needed is a little supportive surroundings and generous funding. Given the necessary supportive environment, agriculture can be one of the foundations for building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. Today’s Agri-Entrepreneurship Conference will open a ‘Bhorosar Notun Janala’ in the minds of agri-entrepreneurs in the country. It will help to find a ‘way’ to stand by the side of agriculture and farmers inspired by the mantra of building a golden Bengal.”
