The role of private enterprises in improving the quality of life at the grassroots level of the country is increasing. Along with sustainable development, private organizations are coming forward in various ways for social welfare. Experts say that most private organizations are not only fulfilling their social responsibilities but are also genuinely committed to the welfare of society, a development that is highly encouraging for the country.
Due to a lack of knowledge about technology and modern farming methods, many farmers in Bangladesh remain underdeveloped. The farmers of the country are lagging behind due to lack of knowledge about technology and modern methods. Despite working hard, they have to face losses. This has an impact on the rural society. Negative impact brings poverty. Addressing this concern, one of the leading private banks in the country, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, has taken initiatives in the northern region. Last year, the bank began training for 11,000 farmers across six districts of northern Bangladesh in environmentally friendly modern agricultural practices. Arranged through a local organization, the training took place in Bogura, Joypurhat, Sirajganj, Natore, Pabna and Rajshahi. Farmers were introduced to various modern farming technologies through this program. It not only increased productivity but also helped improve their standard of living.
Several private initiatives are complementing government efforts to tackle the crisis of access to safe drinking water. Notably, the telecommunications company Robi has launched an impressive initiative to ensure the availability of drinking water in transit areas. Water plants have been installed at major railway stations, including Kamalapur, Dhaka Airport, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Mohanganj, Feni and Cumilla. These installations allow passersby to easily access safe drinking water. Robi implemented this initiative in collaboration with Bangladesh Railway and the non-governmental organization WaterAid. This has particularly benefited homeless children and marginalized groups, protecting them from waterborne diseases caused by consuming contaminated water.
Private efforts are also being made to deliver safe water to rural communities. Under an initiative by BAT Bangladesh, 48 out of 126 water purification plants have been installed in Kushtia district alone. These plants have been set up in Kushtia Sadar, Mirpur, Daulatpur, Kumarkhali and Bheramara upazilas. As a result, thousands of farmers and their families are gaining access to clean water, protecting them from waterborne diseases and arsenic contamination.
In addition to ensuring safe water, BAT Bangladesh has also launched extensive tree plantation campaigns with the participation of local farmers in Kushtia. As part of this initiative, notable afforestation efforts have been carried out around the Lalon Shah Bridge, Kushtia Bypass Road, Kushtia-Jashore Highway and the GK Canal areas. Across the region, the impact of these efforts is visibly significant. It is worth mentioning that the organization has distributed over 130 million tree saplings across the country since 1980.
Beyond safe water and environmental conservation, private initiatives are also working to ensure that farmers have easy access to credit. Syngenta Bangladesh is actively working to provide farmers with loans under flexible and farmer-friendly terms and is undertaking various initiatives for agricultural development. Simultaneously, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture is striving to bring long-term structural changes in the country’s food and nutrition systems.
Professor Dr. Atikul Islam from the Department of Economics at Rajshahi University said, ‘The initiatives taken by private organizations for grassroots agriculture and environmental protection are certainly commendable. It is essential that their efforts are backed by thorough and appropriate research, ensuring not only benefits for the grassroots people but also long-lasting solutions to their problems.’
