M S Akash, Fatickchhari (Chittagong)

Marginal farmers' organization of Ajpara Gaya 'Harualchhari Canal Water Management Co-operative Society' was elected the best cooperative society in the country on the 53rd National Cooperative Day.

Ministry of Cooperatives gave this award nationally in 10 categories on National Cooperative Day keeping in mind the theme of 'Building a country in cooperatives, Bangladesh without discrimination'.

One of its categories is 'Total Village Development in Agriculture'. There, Harualchhari Water Management Association won the seat of 'Best' status in upazila, district, division and nationally.

Ministry of Cooperatives gave this award nationally in 10 categories on National Cooperative Day keeping in mind the theme of 'Building a country in cooperatives, Bangladesh without discrimination'. One of its categories is 'Total Village Development in Agriculture'. There, Harualchhari Water Management Association won the seat of 'Best' status in upazila, district, division and nationally..

Late Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives AF Hasan Arif presented the honorary crest, certificate and cash of one lakh rupees to the president of the association.

It has been found that the Harualchhari Canal Water Management Cooperative Society of Upazila was established in 2011 with 15 farmer members. The members initially dammed a local canal to collect water and the farmers brought their fallow land under cultivation. Cultivation started with only a few hundred acres of land.

At present, the amount of cultivable land of 2500 farmers is 500 acres. There the farmers deposit 500 taka to the association as irrigation tax at 40 percent every year. The borrowers of the society are about two thousand and the current capital is Rs. 14 crores. Besides, there is a share capital of Tk 90 lakh and a debt position of over Tk 6 crore.

In the last few years, 200 drivers were given loans to buy CNG and motorcycles from the society's funds. They paid this money in installments. Apart from this, work is going on to alleviate the poverty of the members of the association for rice production, fisheries, poultry, sewing machines, cattle rearing. At present there is own building on the 10th century land.

Also in the 20th century, poultry and cattle ranching was in progress.

President of the 11-member management committee and chairman of the local union council. Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury said, 'We formed an association with local farmers to save them from public debt. In the beginning, a deposit of 50 rupees was taken from the members. As the members of the association gradually increase, the amount of capital also increases.

Thus capital was formed and loans were given to the members. With which the farmers started rice and fish farming. By selling these, the opportunity to repay the loan is given according to the benefits. This money becomes a great power. The association is now a model for the area.'

Fatikchari Upazila Cooperative Officer MA Shahid Bhunya said, "This association has won the national award this year for contributing to the overall village development cooperative based on agriculture. We are proud of it. I hope their good streak will continue in the future.