Dhaka: Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh honoured individuals and institutions who served as outstanding examples in the agriculture sector of Bangladesh in recent time through the third AGROW Award.

An award ceremony was organised at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka on 27 July. Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the ceremony as the chief guest, said a press release.

Also present at the ceremony were, Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh CEO Abrar A. Anwar; Country Head of Corporate Affairs of the bank Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF) founder and managing director Shariful Islam.

To recognise this immense contribution of the farmers in nation building, in 2014 Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh initiated ‘Agrow Award: Excellence in Agriculture’, to celebrate the heroes who serve the nation from the core. Bangladesh Brand Forum is the implanting partner of this event ever since.

This year, AGROW Award honoured the industry contributors in seven categories, namely — Best Agricultural Organisation in Research and Innovation, Best Agricultural Organisation in Support and Execution, Best Agricultural Exporter, Best Use of Technology, Farmer of the Year — Male, Farmer of the Year — Female, and Farmer of the Year — Subsistence Market Group.

Total 350 nominations were received this year. The winners & honourable mentions in each category were selected through two rigorous jury sessions conducted by experts from the various agricultural and related sectors, development agencies and policy makers.

Speaking at the ceremony as the chief guest, Tofail Ahmed said, ‘I would like to thank Standard Chartered Bank for this initiative. I think this is one of the best initiatives they have taken. I would also appreciate the winners of this year’s Agrow Award to focus on exporting agricultural products.’

He also added that this year, the country will have a surplus food of 30 lakh tonnes and plans to export more rice compared to 50,000 tonnes that Bangladesh shipped to Sri Lanka. Honourable Commerce Minister also said, ‘The export-oriented agro-processors would receive 20 percent cash incentive this year.’

Speaking at the occasion, Abrar A. Anwar, CEO, Standard Chartered Bangladesh said ‘It is a proud privilege for us that we have been able to successfully embed ourselves in this country’s development and we are determined to continue this journey of progress together and help build a sustainable agricultural sector for Bangladesh.  I hope through this humble attempt of ours we will be able to motivate thousands of farmers around the country to come up with exemplary contribution in the agricultural sector.’

The winner & honourable mention in each category received a crest and a certificate from the Honourable Minister for their exemplary contribution. In addition, three winners in Farmer of the Year categories were handed over prize money of BDT Five Lac each, with the three honourable mentions getting BDT Fifty Thousand each. The award ceremony was attended by around 250 invited guests from the agriculture sector and related organisations.

List of Winners