Economic Reporter  :Standard Chartered Bank along with its implementation partner Bangladesh Brand Forum officially commenced Standard Chartered Agrow Award 2016 with a view to recognizing best performances in agriculture.The award handover ceremony of  'Standard Chartered Agrow Award 2016' will take place on 27th of March, this year in the city. Such kind of initiative will encourage the farmers across the country, said Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Country Head of Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered while addressing a press conference at a city hotel on Monday. "I am really delighted that we will be having this award for the 3rd year running. I hope through this humble attempt of ours we will be able to motivate thousands of farmers and entities linked with the sector around the country to come up with exemplary contribution in the agricultural sector and help build a sustainable agriculture sector for this country." Bitopi Das mentioned that it is a privilege for the bank to be able to inspire and support the sector through Agrow Award. The winners will be honoured with prize money of taka five lacs each to help them expand their contribution to agriculture. Honourable mentions in each category will be given taka fifty thousand each, she also added.Talking to the reporter, Bitopi Das said, SCB is disbursing agriculture and SME loan with the liaison of micro-finance institutions (MFIs) across the country. "Of course, we do not have enough branches in the rural areas, but we want to contribute something to the development of country's economy", said the corporate affairs head. SCB meet its annual agriculture and SME loan target in the last year, she also added.Speaking at the press conference, Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum Shariful Islam said, this year, the award will be presented on seven different categories, namely Best Agricultural Organization in Research and Innovation, Best Agricultural Organization in Support and Execution, Best Agricultural Exporter, Farmer of the Year - Male, Farmer of the Year - Female, and Farmer of the Year - Subsistence Market Farmer Group; and the newly introduced category Best Use of Technology in Agriculture. He explained the philosophy behind the initiative of Agrow Award. He shared that Bangladesh agriculture sector is an exemplary model in sustainable food production to the rest of the world, and Agrow Award recognizes the farmers and institutions that are relentlessly working to meet this vital need of a growing population.