Agro CSR Project: Voroshar Notun Janala

1. Executive Summary
The Voroshar Notun Janala (Window of Hope) Agro CSR Project was a major social initiative launched by UCB in February 2023 to holistically transform the lives of marginal farmers across Bangladesh. Focused on providing training, research, and financial management skills, the project successfully reached 13,654 farmers across 64 districts. The 30-month assignment, executed in partnership with the BSAFE Foundation, has concluded with significant deliverables met, including widespread entrepreneurial training and key agricultural research. The project's positive impact on marginal farmers has been validated by an Impact Analysis conducted by a third-party organization (NSU).

2. Project Goals and Scope
The core objective of the project was to improve the livelihoods of farmers by equipping them with the knowledge and tools for sustainable and profitable agriculture. Key focus areas included:
• Agri. Entrepreneurial Training
• Promotion of Sustainable Farming Methods
• Research and Technology Field Trails
• Facilitated additional income for farmers/communities.
The program's scope covered Upazilas in all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh.
3. Key Achievements and Completed Work
A. Training and Capacity Building
• Total Participants: 13,654 farmer entrepreneurs trained across 64 districts.
• Training Curriculum: A specialized training module was developed and validated in
consultation with key government agencies (MoA, DAE, DLS, DoF).
• Targeted Selection: Entrepreneurs were selected in collaboration with the DAE, DLS, and DoF, with a minimum of 25 selected per standard Upazila and 60 per Model Upazila.
• Training Focus: Full-day sessions covered crucial business skills, including Business Development, Marketing, and Financial Management.
B. Research and Technology Initiatives
The project successfully completed five distinct research initiatives to address specific regional farming challenges:
• Research on various chars (river islands) in Bogura, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram.
• Action research to promote tobacco crop replacement in Lalmonirhat.
• Research on salt-tolerant rice and sugar crops in the Swandip area, conducted by Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).
• Field trial of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology for fish farming.

C. Farmer Support and Infrastructure
• Inputs and Grants: Farm inputs (seed, fertilizer) were distributed, along with technical training, vaccination camps, and grants for agricultural machinery.
• Community Safety: Several Lightning Arresters were installed in different zones.
• Sapling Distribution: Over 55,000 saplings were distributed to educational institutions, government offices, and families.
• Post-Harvest Support: Essential processing equipment (husking mills, solar drying equipment, mini storage facilities) was provided to aid post-harvest crop management.
4. Ongoing Activities and Recommendations The Project Coordinator submits the following activities for completion by the Bank’s internal resources to maximize the long-term impact of the program:
A. Cluster Development and Integration
• Objective: Develop the technical and entrepreneurial capacity of the established farmer clusters.
• Activities: Specialized training, providing final inputs and mechanization grants, creating robust market linkages, and integrating these clusters into the regular banking system.
B. Infrastructure Completion
• Lightning Arresters: Ensure the timely completion and installation of lightning arresters for which work orders have been issued.
C. Exposure and Recognition (Strategic Recommendation)
• National Program: UCB is strongly recommended to organize a national-level program to showcase the project's success and impact, which will inform the nation about the work and significantly enhance the Bank's brand image.
• Stakeholder Recognition: Issue appreciation letters and crests to key stakeholders, including BSAFE Foundation, CDRC-RDA, BARI, BAU, DAE, DoF, DLS, and NSU, for their critical contributions to the project's success

This initiative represents a significant achievement within the Banking Sector. United Commercial Bank (UCB) strategically views its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund not merely as a charitable donation, but as a critical instrument for fostering the economic development of marginalized farmers. This successful model could serve as a replicable standard for other financial institutions. While Bangladesh Bank actively promotes increased agricultural credit and farmer support, these opportunities often cannot be fully leveraged without a corresponding increase in financial literacy. It is anticipated that the government and the central bank will endeavor to mainstream this concept and explore its replication in other regions. Ultimately, we believe that CSR funds must be utilized as a strategic vehicle for holistic social and economic development, moving beyond the scope of traditional charity.