51 Zakiganj Farmers Receive Tk 53.1 Lakh in Agricultural Loans

A total of BDT 5.31 million in agricultural loans was distributed among 51 farmers in Zakiganj, Sylhet, through seven financial institutions. The disbursement took place on Wednesday at 10:30 AM during an agricultural loan campaign, discussion meeting, and public loan disbursement ceremony organized at the Upazila Auditorium. Organized under the leadership of Sonali Bank PLC, Zakiganj Branch, the event was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sujit Kumar Chanda, while Subrata Talukder, Additional Director of the Bangladesh Bank Sylhet Office, attended as the chief guest.

In his presidential address, UNO Sujit Kumar Chanda underscored the pivotal role of agriculture, stating, ‘If farmers survive, the country survives; Bangladesh comes first.’ Calling upon farmers not to leave any land uncultivated, he emphasized that active farming would fulfill national nutritional needs while helping agricultural workers achieve self-reliance. Welcome remarks were delivered by Md. Kamrul Hasan, Manager of Sonali Bank Zakiganj Branch. Special guests included Himangshu Acharya, Deputy General Manager of Sonali Bank Principal Office Sylhet North, and Mohammad Faizur Rahman Shahir, Chief Regional Manager of Bangladesh Krishi Bank Sylhet.

Speakers highlighted that farmers can open an agricultural bank account for just BDT 10 to access institutional credit facilities. Loan applications require basic documentation, including a land record (porcha), land tax receipt, National ID card (NID), and a Farmer ID Card. Furthermore, tenant farmers who do not own land can also obtain loans by providing a written certification from the landowner, with banks assuring loan disbursement within ten days.

The officials urged farmers to seek formal bank loans instead of relying on high-interest local moneylenders, while advising caution against excessive charges by certain microfinance entities. Emphasizing that agricultural loans are repayable financial support rather than non-repayable grants or subsidies, speakers reminded borrowers to maintain timely repayments. The event also featured speeches from local journalist leaders, corruption prevention representatives, bank branch managers, civil society activists, and local farmer representatives.