BM Desk:

Mercantile Bank PLC and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have signed an agreement to collaborate on developing a Hybrid Solar Dryer to reduce post-harvest losses of nutrient-enriched crops and fishes in Bangladesh. The project will be funded by a Tk. 1.6 crore donation from Mercantile Bank’s special CSR fund.

The agreement was signed at the Bank’s Head Office in Dhaka by Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, Managing Director & CEO of Mercantile Bank, and Professor Zainul Abedin, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, BAU. Under the agreement, BAU will implement the project for developing Hybrid Solar Dryer in the title of ‘Hybrid Drying System for reducing Post Harvest Losses of Nutrient Enriched Crops and Fishes in Bangladesh’. The donation from Mercantile Bank special CSR fund will be disbursed in four installments as stated in the project.

Adil Raihan, Shamim Ahmed, Hasne Alam and Md. Mahmood Alam Chowdhury, DMDs, Dr. Tapash Chandra Paul, CFO, Shah Sohel Khurshid & Mohammad Iqbal Rezwan, SEVPs, Abu Asghar G. Haruni, Company Secretary & Head of HR and Mohammad Shafruzzaman Khan, VP & Head of Agriculture Credit Division of the bank were present on the occasion. Dr. Chayan Kumer Saha, Principal Investigator & Professor of Department of Farm Power & Machinery, Professor Poly Karmakar, Department of Food Technology & Rural Industries, Surajit Sarkar, Coordinator of Agromac Development Initiative Foundation and Abu Hanif, Lecturer, Department of Farm Power & Machinery were also present on the agreement signing ceremony.

This collaboration between Mercantile Bank and BAU is a significant step towards addressing the issue of post-harvest losses in Bangladesh. The Hybrid Solar Dryer technology has the potential to reduce post-harvest losses by up to 50%, which could have a major impact on the food security of the country.

Mercantile Bank PLC is one of the leading private commercial banks in Bangladesh. The bank has a strong track record of providing innovative and customer-centric financial solutions. Mercantile Bank is committed to playing a positive role in the development of the Bangladesh economy.

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) is the premier agricultural university in Bangladesh. The university is committed to conducting research and development that will benefit the agricultural sector of Bangladesh. BAU is also committed to training the next generation of agricultural leaders.