RAJSHAHI. Sept 8; Sonali Ba#k has tmdertaken an ex-'fpsive c/cdlt programme for l£*h cultivation in 16 north-rm .districts of Rajshahi Division during the current fiscal yea?'of 1995-96, official sources hert said.

The bank Has fixed a target to distribute Taka 11.85 erore loan this year under the programme in Rajshahi Division.

These loans, each case ainduntlng upto maximum Tak,a five lakh, will be sanc-tioffed especially on fish cul-turein ponds. However, loans u^lf also be allocated for pls-/Iculture farm, fish hatchery, shrimp hatchery, semi-inten-stye shrimp culture project and other noncrop projects related to fish production.

To make the credit programme successful Sonali Bank has specially designated its five branches in every district to give the service

It may be mentioned here

that Sonali Bank started a credit programme for pond fish culture last, fiscal year on Intensive surveillance basis with a vitw to extend pisciculture and thereby enhance fish production in the country.

Under the programme, the bank fixed a target to distribute Taka 50 crore loan all over the country In 1994-95. In Rajshahi Division. Taka 72.01 lakh was distributed that year against the target of Taka 86,01 lakh.

Though the target of loan disbursement could not be fulfilled, the programme was accepted by the fish cultivators and proved successful, said Shamsuddoha Mahmud. General Manager of Sonali Bank. Rajshahi Division, For this reason, the target of loan distribution had been Increased many times this fiscal year, he said, adding that the bank had also made the terms and conditions consid-

erably easier.

Now. no mortgaging or security money will be required to get loans upto Taka 50 thousand. Loans will also be allocated against the ponds of joint-ownership or ponds those which got under ledge from the government or any other bonafide organisation provided that the original owner or owners should authorise the cultivator or cultivators to take loans.

Groups of small and marginal farmers will also have the facility. Eadh case of loan will be sanctioned "for a three years term on 12 per cent interest.

The bank has also taken some necessary Initiatives so that the loanees must use the money for fish Culture with probable highest production rate applying modern technology.

The initiatives include training of the loanees on

pisciculture in modern method, holding rallies to motivate and inspire people in fish cultivation, collection of exact number of ponds in the area, identification of the actual owner of the ponds, cultivating fallow and silted ponds and swamps, shrimp culture in soft water and so

on.

To realise these initiatives. the bank has appointed some pisciculture experts in different branches and undertaken programmes to train its own officials on processing of project proposal, evaluation and pisciculture as well.

The bank has also kept provisions to involve NGOs like Grameen Bank. BRAC. Swanirvar Bangladesh and government organisations like Directorate of Fisheries. BADC, BSCIC and so on. when necessary for getting practical knowledge, suggestion and training.