The Janata Bank Ltd (JBL) distributed Taka 8.02million soft-term agri-loans at two percent interest rate among 225 farmers at a function arranged in Nilphamari district town Monday.

The agri-loans were distributed among the farmers of all eight upazilas of Nilphamari district with a view to encourage them in enhancing productions of pulses, spices, oilseeds and similar crops in this economically backward area.

As per directives of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Atiur Rahman, the JBL disbursed these loans like other banks in the process of building a developed and poverty-free digital Bangladesh through achieving self-reliance in agriculture by increasing productions.

Rangpur Divisional Manager of JBL M Mohsin chaired the loan distribution ceremony at Nilphamari District Shilpakola Academy auditorium and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of JBL SM Aminur Rahman attended as the chief guest.

General Manager (Rural Loan) of the JBL M Ayat Ali and Deputy Commissioner of Nilphamari Zillur Rahman were present as the special guests.

Acting General Manager of Rangpur Branch of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Nurun Nahar and Deputy General Manager (Rural Loan) of the JBL from Dhaka Zikrul Haque also attended the ceremony.

The speakers said that these easiest agri-loans are being disbursed among the farmers for achieving more economic growths in the agriculture sector by saving huge foreign exchange through achieving self-reliance in productions of pulses, oilseeds and spices.

They called upon the officials and experts of the agriculture related departments to assist the farmers in ensuring optimum utilizations of the loans to increase productions of these crops to meet the country’s local demands without importing these commodities.

Dr Atiur Rahman during his visit to Rangpur and other northern districts in October 2009, ordered authorities of RAKUB and other commercial banks to ensure disbursement of adequate agri-loans at two per cent interest rate to increase productions of these crops.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh