Rice Bank ERA is a new initiative of CREA project. A total of 6 Rice Banks have been established at the community level through the CREA project implemented in 3 unions in Bishwambharpur Upazila of Sunamganj district. 2 Rice Banks have been established in each union. They have been established in Amaria and Omarpur villages in Badaghat Dakshin Union, Rajghat and Majumdari in Palash Union and Kalaiya and Fatepur villages in Fatepur Union. BDT 60,000/= (sixty thousand) has been spent to construct a Rice Bank. In the initial stage, Rice Bank is being run by the members of the elected women’s group. However, there is an opportunity for wealthy people in the area outside the committee to deposit rice as donations. Through which more rice will be deposited in Rice Bank and the designated members will benefit. Main objective of the Rice Bank is that poor and extremely poor members will borrow a certain amount of rice from the Rice Bank for a specific period of time during disasters and emergencies, and the committee will return specified amount of rice to the Rice Bank at a specific time. Rice collection has started this year. 8 maunds of rice have been deposited in Amaria Rice Bank and 3 maunds in Omarpur Rice Bank of Badaghat Dakshin Union, 8 maunds in Majhair Rice Bank and 4 maunds in Majumdari Rice Bank of Palash Union, 1.50 maunds in Kalaiya Rice Bank and 1.5 maunds in Fatepur Rice Bank of Fatepur Union, a total of 26 maunds of rice have been deposited, current market price of which is about (1200*26) BDT 31,200/- More rice will be deposited in a few days. Initially, rice is being exchanged among members as loans.
Challenge: Due to the inadequacy of extremely poor members, they are unable to store rice properly.
Result: As a result of discussing the importance of the Rice Bank, initial paddy collection has started. All members are very happy that they were able to take up such a new initiative with the help of the project.
Conclusion: Rice Banks are being run as per the suggestions of ERA CREA project. Members of the six Rice Banks are running the activities with great enthusiasm. Their hope and dream is to collect a large amount of rice through the Rice Bank and help the poor and extremely poor in the area. They expressed their thanks and gratitude to the ERA CREA project for such a great initiative.