As an agro-based economy, agro-fishery-livestock development financial services program is very important in Bangladesh. To make the target farmers habituated with modern methodology and technologies and increase the production, SSS started on a program–Agriculture Extension Program in Modhupur, Bhaighat, Garobazar, Trishal, Churkhai, Achhim, Nandina, Hajipur, Gopalpur, Sakhipur, Barachaona and Batajor Branches in 2018-19. Under the program the target farmer families are treated with necessary financial and technical services, training and others supports to flourish their livelihoods.
The key objectives of the program are: utilizing agro sector resources and opportunities properly, enhancing employment, production and income, ensuring cultivation of vegetables, crops and fruit through organic system, providing supports to food production, preservation and marketing authentically, empowering the underprivileged people and sustaining in food security.
The major activities are: production of tricho compost, use of granular urea in paddy cultivation, year-round vegetables and fruits cultivation in homestead, use of pheromone traps in poison-free vegetable cultivation, production and conservation of quality paddy seeds, integrated management for safe crop production, introduction of high-yielding new varieties, etc. More to the point, training, field days, on-site visits, materials and technological supports, meetings, etc are organized.
Table: Activities of Agriculture Extension Program
| Particulars | Achievement
in 2023-24 |
Cumulative
on 30 June 2024 |
| District Coverage | 02 | 02 |
| Upazila Coverage | 03 | 05 |
| No. of Branch | 05 | 15 |
| No. of Exhibition on Fruits and Vegetables | 05 | 20 |
| No. of Demo on Vermi/tricho Compost Plant | 138 | 547 |
| Distribution of Yellow-Trap (No.) | 1,890 | 10,100 |
| Distribution of Technology Transfer related Materials (Recharge, Recharge SW, Virus Zero, etc) (No.) | 318 | 1,409 |
| Giving technology for balanced fertilizer use as per soil card (No.) | 498 | 498 |
| Discussion meetings at the group (No.) | 105 | 355 |
| Supporting farmers in producing quality seeds (No.) | 67 | 180 |
| Distributing improved seeds and inputs among farmers (No.) | 468 | 1320 |
| Setting up homestead gardens (No.) | 1408 | 5625 |
| Setting up commercial farms (No.) | 302 | 1320 |
| Providing training on fruit and vegetable cultivation (No) | 2150 | 6513 |
| Provide Assistance in marketing safe agro products (No.) | 357 | 3838 |
