Grass roots organization for promoting sustainable agriculture and food security: the experience of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh

Abstract

The Grameen Bank of Bangladesh has developed a target group-oriented financial institution to provide credit to land-poor households so that they could generate self-employment in economic activities of their choice. Initially, the Bank basically financed nonfarm rural enterprises. But with increases in income, the land-poor borrowers of the bank got access to land through the tenancy market and became involved in crop production activities and contributed to growth in foodgrain production. The Grameen Bank attempted to increase food production by establishing an independent Krishi (Agriculture) Foundation for developing an efficient irrigation management system to promote modern agriculture by providing inputs in kind and management advice, in exchange for a share of the harvest. More than 95% of Grameen Bank borrowers are women. Since the Bank has already mobilized these socially disadvantaged groups in village-level associations, it will be easier to extend natural resource management and mechanical technologies to conserve natural resources, add value to rice production, and reduce the drudgery of women.