Brac has announced a Tk 53 crore self-funded initiative to support agriculture and a range of social program across the country.
Under the initiative, 1.03 lakh farmers and Agri-entrepreneurs will receive training, agricultural inputs and access to modern technologies over the next three months. The program also includes interventions in climate change, road safety, migration, social empowerment and legal protection, and education.
As food inflation and rising input costs continue to affect smallholder farmers, Brac said it is providing direct support to strengthen livelihoods and boost productivity. Of the total allocation, Tk 32.85 crore will be channeled into three agriculture-focused components.
As part of the program, Brac’s Microfinance Program, alongside other initiatives, will distribute 50 lakh fish fry, 1 lakh ducklings, 1 lakh chicks and 1 lakh saplings. In addition, 20,000 livestock animals will be vaccinated free of cost.
To promote sustainable farming, 1,000 vermicompost production systems will be established to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and improve soil fertility.
Brac will also construct 50 environmentally friendly potato storage facilities and 50 onion storage units to improve post-harvest preservation.
To support mechanization, 20 threshing machines and 100 power tillers will be distributed. The initiative also includes the rollout of 5,000 water-saving irrigation technologies, which can reduce water use by up to 30%, lower irrigation costs and increase productivity.
Training programs will be conducted on soil fertility management, low-cost pesticide use, good agricultural practices, organic pest control and rice production.
The initiative also focuses on women’s economic inclusion. Under Brac’s Swapnosarothi program, 7,810 rural adolescent girls will receive training in poultry farming, tailoring and community health services. Additionally, 5,240 participants studying at SSC level and above will receive educational support, while four schools in the haor region will be equipped with laboratory facilities.
“A large proportion of our members come from households dependent on agriculture. When crop prices fall, irrigation costs rise or disasters strike, providing loans alone is not enough,” said Arinjoy Dhar, Senior Director of Microfinance at Brac.
“Through this initiative, we are investing directly in productive capacity so that our members can achieve genuine economic progress,” he added.
Brac has also been supporting farmers through training in floating vegetable cultivation, mushroom farming, bee rearing, honey production and marketing, vermicompost production and integrated crop cultivation.
