StanChart, TMSS partner to promote eco-friendly agri practices

FE Team | Published: May 20, 2024 23:26:53

Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Thenga-mara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) have joined forces to empower 11,000 farmers to adopt polyhouse farming, an eco-friendly agricultural practice.
This modern method allows for year-round cultivation, regardless of external conditions.
Farmers in Bogura, Joypurhat, Sirajganj, Natore, Pabna, and Rajshahi will benefit from this project.
By providing beneficiaries with polyhouse development resources and thenecessary training, the bank is optimising crop yield and quality while simultaneously catalysing income generation opportunities for thousands, says a press release.
As part of this initiative, Standard Chartered is supplying watermelon seeds and other vegetable seeds to beneficiaries to improve homestead gardening efforts.
The bank will also help set up vermicompost production centres so that farmers can reduce their dependency on chemical fertiliser. In total, the bank will contribute over Tk 27 million to implement this project.
Lack of access to high-quality seed inputs, water scarcity and overuse of fertiliser and pesticides heavily impact Bangladesh's agricultural sector.
To build a more sustainable and productive system, Standard Chartered and TMSS will establish polyhouse farming structures, which will empower farmers to grow high-value vegetables like broccoli, capsicum, cabbage, and lettuce, as well as other fruit and flowers together.
Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said, "For every USD 1 spent on adaptation in Bangladesh, an economic benefit of USD 10 can be generated, indicating a dire need to invest in adaptation projects. According to Standard Chartered's The Adaptation Economy report, focus areas for adaptation in Bangladesh include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and improved water resource infrastructure. Polyhouse farming brings these two focus areas into alignment under one roof."
Prof Dr. Hosne-Ara Begum, Founder of TMSS, said, "TMSS has been working for the development of farmers all along. The main purpose is to boost high-value crop farming in the drought-prone area through modern polyhouse farming methods. Not only will the farmers benefit financially, but this will also be a boost to our economy."