The Dhaka Times Desk Full-stack agritech startup iFarmer launched a project in collaboration with United Commercial Bank Plc (UCB) in November last year with the aim of providing financial support to maize farmers on contract farming systems.
Under this scheme, farmers also get an opportunity to open an account in UCB Bank for just 10 rupees. Besides, they get financial benefits and other agriculture-based support from iFarmer. The farmers paid off the loan in full after successfully growing and selling maize recently.
Maize farmers of Bogra, Sirajganj and Gaibandhar pastures have taken this financial benefit with the help of iFarmer and UCB. In addition, iPharma has helped farmers with timely data, weather forecasts and expert services. Farmers started working immediately after receiving financial assistance. To ensure transparency in the entire process, iFarmer's field staff provide regular support and monitoring to the farmers.
Despite the odds, the farmers managed to secure bumper maize yields. iFarmer buys and pays farmers for all their corn through their own supply chain. A total of 535 farmers were given financial benefits of Tk 2 crore 7 lakh 59 thousand. iFarmer also secures funding for a number of farmers through retail-based financing. Also, an internal survey conducted by iFarmer has shown that those who have taken loans under iFarmer's supervision in this scheme have benefited. Farmers who had availed finance from other institutions in the previous year have been able to save 50-67 percent capital this year compared to last year. Farmers produced a total of 4,033.12 metric tons of maize.
Fahad Ifaz, co-founder and chief executive of iFarmer said about this initiative, “We have taken necessary steps to ensure financial inclusion of farmers, banks have played an important role in this regard. We will work tirelessly to reach more farmers in the future.”
UCB Bank Deputy Managing Director ATM Tahmiduzzaman said, “Our aim was to provide financial services to farmers. iPharma has played a key role in the successful implementation of this initiative.”
Farmer Mohammad Golam Mostafa, a resident of Char area of Kazipur, Sirajganj, said about this initiative, “I was not able to cultivate the land properly due to financial strain. Later I came to know about Eyefarmer's financial support. Under this project, with the help of iFarmer, I took a loan of 50,000 taka from UCB and cultivated 270 decimels of land. I was able to produce 14,440 kg of maize this year. Due to this financial support from iFarmer, I have been able to make good profits as well as repay loans on time.”
It is to be noted that through this initiative, the farmers of Char area have been included in the financial inclusion activities for the first time. Every year, iPharma will undertake such initiatives to improve the quality of life of the people in Char region. News bulletins.
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How to prevent dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral fever. This fever is different from other viral or bacterial fevers. However, this fever is not contagious in any way. This viral fever can occur alone or in combination with other viruses (chikungunya, yellow fever, Burma forest, flu, respiratory syncytial) and bacteria (pneumococcus).
Dengue fever is divided into two categories depending on the severity of symptoms and fever.
1. Common dengue fever
2. Dengue fever with bleeding.
In the case of common dengue fever, the following symptoms are mainly seen-
1. Sudden high fever lasting 2 to 7 days.
2. Severe headache.
3. Pain behind the eyes.
4. Along with the fever, red rash appears all over the body.
5. Severe pain in whole body as well as back pain.
6. Nausea or vomiting.
7. A rash or red bumps on the skin.
In case of dengue fever with bleeding:
1. Bleeding from nose, mouth or vomiting with high fever within 2 to 48 hours.
2. Fluid accumulation in chest or abdomen along with fever.
If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately.
On the other hand
Wait at home for the first 3 days of fever. On the other hand, sponge the whole body with water every now and then. This will reduce the level of fever. Drink enough water and rest. After that, if the fever does not decrease or if it continues to increase after some time, consult a doctor immediately.
Things to do to prevent Dengue:
1. Try to keep the surroundings of the house as clean as possible.
2. If there are flower tubs or broken plastic bottles, can shells, tires or polythene inside the house, clean them quickly and drain the accumulated water from the flower tubs.
3. Spray or fog at least 3 times a week to kill mosquitoes.
4. You can keep mosquito repellent cream with you while going out.
5. After evening, younger and older members of the household should use mosquito nets.
6. Clean up any accumulated rain water, as this is the time when Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs.
7. On the other hand, you can use mats along with mosquito nets to avoid mosquito infestation.
8. Since Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, it is important to avoid sleeping with mosquito nets while sleeping during the day. Source: https://dmpnews.org
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