Sanem proposes interest-free loans for farmers | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
May 29, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
Sanem proposes interest-free loans for farmers

Bazaar

TBS Report
04 May, 2020, 08:00 pm
Last modified: 04 May, 2020, 08:02 pm

Related News

  • Shortage of crucial commodities: Farmers bear brunt of supply chain inefficiencies while middlemen profit: BB report
  • Rangpur farmers happy with bumper groundnut yield, fair price
  • Watermelon fortune changer crop for Khulna's coastal farmers
  • Bumper tomato yields bring no joy to Sunamganj farmers
  • Faridpur farmers hope for bumper onion harvest this season

Sanem proposes interest-free loans for farmers

Sanem’s executive director also emphasised the importance of ensuring farmers get fair prices for their products

TBS Report
04 May, 2020, 08:00 pm
Last modified: 04 May, 2020, 08:02 pm
File Photo: Wikimedia
File Photo: Wikimedia

The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (Sanem), a non-profit research organisation, has proposed interest-free loans be arranged – instead of the government-announced loans at five percent interest – for farmers to tackle the fallout of the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

Economists and members of the agriculture sector presented the proposal at an online seminar organised by Sanem on Monday.

Dr Selim Raihan, executive director of Sanem and professor of economics at Dhaka University, moderated the seminar. Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha of the same department took part in the discussion. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

From outside Dhaka, teachers at different universities in Sylhet, Rangpur and Khulna, as well as the Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh put forward their opinions in the seminar.

At the beginning of the seminar, Dr Raihan explained the economic loss and ongoing crisis in the agriculture sector due to the pandemic. He, however, said it was not possible to assess the losses right at this moment. 

He said, "In the ongoing crisis, agriculture must be prioritised because food security is the most important issue now. Steps must be taken so that farmers get interest-free loans. Instead of six months, the loan must be long-term for farmers." 

Selim Raihan said to overcome the crisis, the government must ensure the availability of all farm inputs because the supply system has been disrupted due to the countrywide shutdown.

He said all the ministries concerned have to work together to cover the shortage of farm workers and agricultural inputs in all areas across the country. To ensure the health of farmers, the authorities must prepare a health protocol and make sure it is complied with.

The Sanem executive director also emphasised the importance of ensuring farmers get fair prices for their products after harvests. 

Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha said sharecroppers and landless people will not be able to avail the facility of the government declared loan package because its conditions are very tough. Marginalised farmers in some sectors – including salt – will be deprived of the loan facility. "That is why the government must reconsider it." 

She said the fair prices of crops have not been ensured in the past due to the dominance of middlemen. "Now it has taken a turn for the worse. So the government has to take an initiative to purchase paddy directly from farmers at fair prices with the help of local administrations. This year the government must increase its crop purchase target considerably. The prices have to be set in such a way so farmers benefit." 

Dr Tuhin Wadud, director of the Riverine People and associate professor at the Begum Rokeya University, said at the seminar, "Though two crore people live in Rangpur, crops are produced here for four crore people. That is why half of the crops have to be sold somewhere else. Now farmers have to leave the crops to rot due to the supply chain crisis."

He said cashing in on it, dealers are buying paddy from farmers at lower prices. So, he suggested that the government purchase the paddy immediately. 

Dr Shariful Islam, assistant professor of the Department of Economics at Khulna University, said due to Covid-19, agricultural products face a crisis in three ways – input, output and credit.

"Farmers cannot cultivate their land afresh. They cannot reap paddy and other crops because of a shortage of labourers. On the other hand, they have been deprived of fair prices for their produce due to a crisis in the supply chain."

He said it may lead to a food crisis in the future.

Md Gias Uddin Khan, assistant professor of the Department of Economics at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, said, "Due to a crisis in the supply chain, poultry farmers are burying around one lakh chicks, underground, daily. Farmers are not receiving fair prices for any products – including dairy, pulse and wheat. So, there will be a crisis all over the production system in the future." 

"Farmers in Mymensingh have been facing trouble over production of fries [baby fish] and vegetables," said M Nahid Sattar, associate professor of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh. 

He further said Mymensingh supplies fries to the whole country. The season begins in Baishakh, the first month of the Bangla calendar.

"All farmers are affected due to the novel coronavirus. The government has to protect them by strengthening the supply chain management."

Top News

SANEM / Farmers / Interest free loans for farmers

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational Photo: Collected
    Tax gap between listed and non-listed firms may widen to 7.5% 
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Secretariat staff observe 1-hr work abstention
  • Representational image. Freepik
    Govt likely to trim subsidies in new budget

MOST VIEWED

  • Google Pay. Photo: Collected
    Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Dhaka areas at a gridlock on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'
  • Mohammad Abdul Mannan, chairman FSIB Ltd. Sketch: TBS
    FSIB to bounce back soon
  • Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, managing director and CEO, UCB. Sketch: TBS
    Customers’ trust and confidence fueling deposit growth at UCB

Related News

  • Shortage of crucial commodities: Farmers bear brunt of supply chain inefficiencies while middlemen profit: BB report
  • Rangpur farmers happy with bumper groundnut yield, fair price
  • Watermelon fortune changer crop for Khulna's coastal farmers
  • Bumper tomato yields bring no joy to Sunamganj farmers
  • Faridpur farmers hope for bumper onion harvest this season

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

2d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

3d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Elon Musk steps down as head of DOGE under Trump administration

Elon Musk steps down as head of DOGE under Trump administration

12m | TBS World
Low Pressure over the Bay of Bengal, Signal No. 3 Issued for Sea Ports

Low Pressure over the Bay of Bengal, Signal No. 3 Issued for Sea Ports

1h | TBS Today
The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

12h | Others
Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

13h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net