POWER TILLER LOAN PROGRAM
Pragati initiated Power Tiller Loan Program in 2014 to facilitate overall agriculture development of the country by increasing agri-production with the help of modern technology and equipment. Small, medium, marginal farmers and traders of agri-machineries are offered the loan at reduced service charge. Our country is still lagging behind in agri production compared to that in other countries of the world due to practice of traditional methods in cultivation. This program aims to increase use of machines in farming through providing financial services to the small farmers and traders of Agri-machineries.
During 2015, an amount of BDT 185 million was disbursed as Power Tiller Loan among 2,228 cultivators and traders of agri-machineries across the country.
MUSHROOM CULTIVATION PROGRAM
Pragati launched a new program on Mushroom Cultivation in 2015. The program was undertaken to increase mushroom production and familiarize this to the general consumers utilizing abandoned land, household spaces and thereby generate jobs for the unemployed youths. Edible mushrooms have many herbal qualities that keep human body safe and healthy by preventing various diseases. In spite of having unique herbal features people of our country are not accustomed to use mushroom as a vegetable like other common ones. The production and consumption of mushroom in Bangladesh very insignificant.
Considering both the economic and health aspect of mushroom, Pragati started cultivating it on a pilot basis in Gazipur, Manikganj and Dhaka districts. The output of these farms are being sold in the kitchen markets of Dhaka city and the adjacent urban areas. The program has planned to set up five more mushroom farms in different districts by 2016.
ORANGE CULTIVATORS SUPPORT PROJECT
A project has been undertaken by Pragati to extend support to the orange cultivators of the country for increasing orange production and thereby generating thrust in the sector for overall development of the country. The project activities include assisting orange cultivators through providing financial and knowledge support for enhancing local production. Under the project 50 orange producers of Chunarughat Upazila in Habigonj district were trained during 2015.
PROJECT ON DAIRY FARMS
Pragati took an initiative in 2015 for setting up Dairy farms in every district of the country. This was meant for creating entrepreneurs and developing entrepreneursh
