NGOS NOW DOMINATE RURAL LENDING; AGRICULTURE’S SHARE OF LOANS SHRINKS
A recent report by The Business Standard highlights changing patterns of rural lending in Bangladesh, with NGO microfinance institutions accounting for three out of every four rural loans, while agriculture’s share of rural borrowing has declined. The report draws on findings presented at a food-system financing workshop organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and IFPRI, with support from the CGIAR Better Diets and Nutrition Science Program. The findings underscore the need for more accessible and affordable agricultural finance, flexible repayment arrangements, and greater investment in farm productivity and the wider food system.
