Staff Reporter, Dhaka : BRAC Bank has partnered with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) to assist grassroots farmers in transitioning to high-yield crop varieties and sustainable cultivation techniques. This alliance is designed to mitigate the impending impacts of climate change on the nation’s agricultural sector.

Structured as a special agriculture-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) endeavour, BRAC Bank has granted financial support to DAE. This will enable farmers to optimize their previously underutilized barren and swampy terrains. The collaboration encourages the adoption of compost fertilizers over their chemical counterparts and emphasizes the incorporation of smart technology to counter climate change repercussions.

The programme aims to elevate the beneficiary farmers’ nutritional intake and socioeconomic standing through a myriad of agricultural innovations.

The official agreement was signed by Md. Sabbir Hossain, Deputy Managing Director & COO of BRAC Bank, and Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension. The signing event took place at the DAE Office in Dhaka.

Lending their presence and support at the ceremony from DAE were Md. Tajul Islam Patwary, Director, Field Survey Wing, and Rezaul Karim, Director, Planning Project Implementation and ICT Wing. Representing BRAC Bank were Syed Abdul Momen, Deputy Managing Director & Head of SME Banking, and Tapos Kumar Roy, Head of MFI and Agriculture Finance.

Named as the ‘BRAC Bank-DAE Agricultural Development Project’, this combined effort between BRAC Bank and DAE is geared towards instigating profound change. The objective is clear: to bolster resilience within the farming community, augment agricultural yield, and alleviate climate change-induced pressures on the agriculture industry.

Speaking on the partnership, Md. Sabbir Hossain, Deputy Managing Director & COO of BRAC Bank, expressed his enthusiasm: “It is thrilling to ally with the Department of Agricultural Extension. This collaboration is primed to substantially enhance farmers’ yields, enabling them to better withstand the harsh realities of climate change.”

He spotlighted BRAC Bank’s dedication to the national economy, particularly emphasising the agricultural domain. The bank’s commitment is rooted in channelling its CSR funds towards avenues that promise a lasting positive impact on the public and the broader society while championing sustainability tenets.