Country does not need food import this year
Bangladesh will not have to import food this year as the country's farmers produced enough, in contrast to production shortfalls in the outer world, said Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman.
He noted that the food-exporting countries across the world stopped exporting grains as there was less production. “But our farmers produced enough food and we will not have to import rice.”
He was speaking at a loan-disbursement ceremony for the farmers at Digpait Shamsul Huq Degree College in Jamalpur district yesterday.
The governor also pointed out that the earnings from exports posted 18 percent growth in October, while India got negative growth.
“The young entrepreneurs deserve the credit for their venture,” he said.
Chaired by the Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) Chairman Khandaker Ibrahim Khalid, the function was also attended by BKB Managing Director M Mokhtadir Hossain, Digpait Shamsul Huq Degree College Principal Abdul Hamid, and peasant representatives Abdul Aziz and AKM Mohsinuzzaman.
The central bank governor said that Bangladesh is the only country that attained 6 percent GDP growth during the recession period.
Dr Atiur, who has launched a new collateral-free lending scheme for the farmers, said the BKB would increase the loan amounts if the money is taken and repaid in stipulated time.
He observed that it was not the kindness of banks to provide money for the farmers. “Rather you (farmers) are showing kindness to the banks by taking loans from them as the banks are running their business by taking money from the government,” he told the gathering.
From the ceremony, the BKB distributed loans amounting to Tk 1.15 crore to 240 farmers of Digpait and Rashidpur unions.
Later, Atiur inaugurated a branch of Janata Bank at Nandina and attended a civic reception given by Jamalpur people at the district Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
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