New Horizons for Agri-Entrepreneurs in Cox’s Bazar

Syed MIZAN::

18 September 2025: At a packed hall in Cox’s Bazar’s Long Beach Hotel, nearly 300 agri-entrepreneurs gathered on September 18 — and left with fresh energy, confidence, and dreams. The Agri-Entrepreneur Gathering and Skills Development Training, organized by United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB), was more than a corporate event; it was a platform where farmers saw tangible possibilities for the future.
For Senchime Rakhine, a young entrepreneur from Cox’s Bazar Sadar, the experience was eye-opening.
“This is the first time I’ve seen a bank invite farmers and train them on how to become successful entrepreneurs,” he said, his voice full of excitement. “This kind of training is essential for us.”
From Chakaria, nursery owner Md. Abdullah spoke of new opportunities: “The bank gave me a loan without asking for collateral. That solves my capital problem. If banks continue to support small farmers like us, the country will surely progress.”
Their stories echoed across the event, where entrepreneurs from remote villages mingled, exchanged ideas, and sought guidance from experts. From the morning, the venue buzzed with discussions on farming, finance, and the future of rural enterprise.
The significance of the gathering was underscored by the presence of policymakers, bankers, and local administrators. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, attending as chief guest, stressed the role of agriculture in the nation’s growth: “To build a prosperous future, we must strengthen agriculture with skills, technology, and financial support. Only then can we put the sector on a sustainable path.”
UCB Chairman Sharif Zahir pledged the bank’s commitment: “We are dedicated to sustainable agriculture and to empowering entrepreneurs. Training like this will increase their financial capacity and confidence.”
Managing Director and CEO Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid was even more direct: “Our responsibility does not end with providing loans. We want entrepreneurs to become self-reliant, successful, and active contributors to the economy.”
Throughout the day, discussions spanned market analysis, business planning, technology use, and financial management. Experts including government officials, agricultural scientists, and district leaders addressed participants. The day ended on a celebratory note as 13 farmers received collateral-free loans on the spot, sparking applause across the hall.
For many, this training marked a turning point. Some had earlier received seeds, fertilizer, or machinery from UCB; but this time, practical skills and financial literacy left them more confident about the road ahead.
The program is part of UCB’s CSR initiative “Bhoroshar Notun Janala,” which has already trained nearly 14,000 farmers across all 64 districts of Bangladesh. Another 3,000 farmers in 50 model upazilas have received intensive support—from technical training and vaccination camps to organic fertilizer distribution, farm mechanization, and incentives to move away from tobacco. Projects have ranged from planting 65,000 trees to introducing climate-resilient farming in coastal and char areas.
The impact is evident: farmers are gaining skills, productivity, and a stronger foothold in the formal banking system. For participants in Cox’s Bazar, it felt like stepping into a new horizon of opportunity—one where agriculture is not just survival, but enterprise.