RAJSHAHI, Oct 2, 2020 (BSS) – The state-owned Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank
(RAKUB) disbursed Taka 321.29 crore agriculture loans from the Prime
Minister’s stimulus package fund in the country’s northwest region till
September.
“We have disbursed the loan among 7,029 farmers through different branches
in all 16 districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions,” said AKM Sajedur
Rahman Khan, Managing Director of RAKUB, on Thursday.
Bangladesh Bank has allocated Taka 319 crore fund from the stimulus
package, he said.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a new stimulus package of
Tk 5,000 crore in May last for farmers to boost agricultural production in
the backdrop of the Covid-19 fallout.
Sajedur Khan said the money from the fund has been disbursed among small
and medium-scale farmers, including those in the poultry and dairy sector, in
rural areas, at five percent interest.
“Small and medium-scale farmers in rural areas received loans from the
fund, and they are using the money to produce agricultural products, flowers,
fruits, fish and poultry,” he added.
Apart from this, the bank has, so far, disbursed Taka 28.29 crore loans
among 833 borrowers to revive cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises
(CMSMEs) that have been affected financially due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Bangladesh Bank has allocated Taka 36 crore to RAKUB for the sector.
Sajedur Rahman also said loan disbursement activities to other sectors of
the stimulus package announced by the premier are progressing efficiently.
“We are very much hopeful about attaining the cherished targets in these
sectors within the stipulated time,” he added.
He also said the stimulus packages will ultimately contribute a lot towards
recouping the losses being triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to the stimulus packages, the specialized commercial bank has
set a target of disbursing loans worth Taka 2,850 crore, recovering Taka
2,300 crore and deposit collection of Taka 1,200 crore during the current
2020-2021 fiscal year.
Target has been set to disburse Tk 950cr for crop, Tk 750cr for SME, Tk
700cr for running agriculture, Tk 50cr for fisheries, Tk 100cr for livestock,
Tk 40cr for poverty reduction, Tk 35cr for agro-based industries and Tk 10
crore for farm machineries.
As the largest development partner in agriculture as well as agro-based
industry sector of the northwest Bangladesh, currently, the bank has adopted
a effective work plan which is being implemented at the grassroots level to
attain all the targets within the stipulated time.