Expansion of crop godown loan project demanded

NILPHAMARI, June 4: Crop godown loan project providing valuable service for poor farmers of Nilphamari district to keep different crops in godown and take loan from any specific bank against the stored crop.
The project, a component of agriculture marketing directorate, helped farmers to get rid of greedy village money lenders and also to sell those at a time of higher price.
A pilot project named Bangladesh Swiss Agriculture Project supported by Switzerland government's financial and technical assistance started in 1978. In 1992 the project was taken as a model one and in June 2004 the project came under revenue budget and it was working since that time.
Sources said farmers having not more then five acres of land are eligible to keep crops in the godown and monthly rent of one quintal of crop is Tk 10. A farmer has to abide by some specific terms and conditions.
There are six such godowns at present prevailing in Nilphamari district that include Charaikhola UP and Bhobanigong UP of sadar upazila, Tengonmari UP of Jaldhaka upazila, Magura UP of Kishorgonj upazila, Boragari UP of Domar upazila and kamarpukur UP of Syedpur upazila.
Sources added local people demanded expansion of the project in all the UPs of the district.          
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