Credit Access in Agri Can Boost Food Security: A H Mansur

He urged bankers to ensure support and easy access to credit for agricultural sector farmers and entrepreneurs. 

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the "Agricultural Entrepreneur Gathering and Skill Development Training" event organized by United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) for the farmers of Cox’s Bazar district on Thursday. 

The day-long event was attended by nearly three hundred agricultural sector entrepreneurs and farmers from different areas.

“We want agricultural loans to reach genuine farmers, banking services to be simplified, and farmers to benefit more from digital banking,” said Dr. Mansur.

The Governor said that agricultural loans not only boost farmers' production but also serve as an effective solution for rural development and improving the quality of life for borrowers. 

Bangladesh has progressed thanks to agriculture, and the country's future can also be built through agriculture, he opined.

Dr. Mansur cautioned that without adequate support for farmers, agricultural production and the market system would be harmed. 

He stressed that ensuring sufficient support and access to credit for agricultural entrepreneurs is crucial for strengthening the rural economy. He also praised UCB's initiative.

In his speech as a special guest, Sharif Zahir, Chairman of United Commercial Bank PLC, said, "We are committed to the sustainable development of agriculture and empowering agricultural entrepreneurs for the country's prosperous future.”

He believes that such training programs will help boost the financial capacity of agricultural entrepreneurs.

Presiding over the event, Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, the bank's Managing Director and CEO, said, "We do not consider our responsibility to be over just by providing loans; we want entrepreneurs to become self-reliant and successful through training, and contribute to the national economy."

United Commercial Bank (UCB) has provided “Agricultural Entrepreneur Skill Development Training” to approximately 14,000 farmers across all 64 districts of Bangladesh through its agro-CSR project, "Bhorosar Notun Janala" (A New Window of Hope).

The project has also given intensive support to 3,000 farmers in 50 model upazilas. This support includes technical training, vaccination campaigns for livestock, distribution of organic fertilizers and high-quality seeds, and direct grants for agricultural mechanization.

Among others, UCB's Additional Managing Director Nabil Mostafizur Rahman Adnan Masud, and other senior bank officials were also present, reports UNB.