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The central bank has planned to introduce a credit scheme through agent banks for the livestock, poultry, and fish farmers at upazila levels, aiming to meet the country's growing demand for protein, sources said.
Initially, some 100 upazilas are expected to come under the proposed credit scheme by the agent banking among such farmers, they added.
To this effect, the Fisheries and Livestock ministry has sent lists of beneficiary farmers to the Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor in the connection.
The BB governor has discussed the matter at a recent meeting with the fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter, official sources said.
In the meeting, the central bank governor also suggested the livestock ministry to make the lists of upazila-based farmers, where increased number of poultry, livestock and fish farms are located.
The ministry has already sent two separate lists--one from the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) with the names of 50 upazilas and another from Department of Fisheries (DF) with 50 upazilas.
The move has been initiated, taking the importance of the fisheries and livestock sectors to the national economy of Bangladesh into consideration, a senior official told the FE.
Presently, the supplies of eggs, meat and milk are not sufficient in comparison their domestic demands, said the official.
Although livestock and fisheries are considered as profitable ones, most of the genuine fishermen and farmers are poor in the country.
Most of them lack necessary working capital, he added.
He also observed that most of the country's banks are reluctant to provide credit support to fisheries, livestock, and poultry farmers.
They largely dependent on NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and other sources, officials said, adding that they fall trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty as a result.
According to DLS and DF officials, if easy and low-cost loans are provided to the farmers, it would help increase their production activities and livelihoods also, thus meeting the growing demand for protein.
At the same time, the sectors can also create a large number of employments and contribute to the country's socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, the advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock also sent a proposal for launching a specialised bank to the Honorable chief advisor.
The Chief adviser's office suggested taking opinions from the Financial Institutions Division (FID) in this regard.
The advisor already sent a letter to finance advisor with regard to establishment of the specialized bank.
The FID forwarded the letter to BB, seeking its opinion.
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