Agriculture News Agency(ANA)

First problem in our agriculture sector is coverage of agriculture related news is very rate in printed and electronic media.  Secondly access is also key to young people to those newspapers. So, coverage and access is first problem . Then knowledge, education with support service like training, credit is  unavailable in Bangladesh still today.

In 2018 from 1st July to 31 December we regular collected agri news, column, analytical reports from two renowned dailies .survey shows only .34% coverage get agriculture sector.  In Bangla language this type wider initiative is first. We will generate income from young entrepreneurs by giving training and support in business creation, consultancy, credit to the young entrepreneurs . More than 1000+ agro-based companies are doing business here in Bangladesh. So, to get commercial advertisement is possible for ANA.com.This integrated support to the young entrepreneurs will change lives of Bangladeshi young people.

First problem in our agriculture sector is coverage of agriculture related news is very rate in printed and electronic media.  Secondly access is also key to young people to those newspapers. So, coverage and access is first problem . Then knowledge, education with support service like training, credit is  unavailable in Bangladesh still today.

In 2018 from 1st July to 31 December we regular collected agri news, column, analytical reports from two renowned dailies .survey shows only .34% coverage get agriculture sector.  In Bangla language this type wider initiative is first. We will generate income from young entrepreneurs by giving training and support in business creation, consultancy, credit to the young entrepreneurs . More than 1000+ agro-based companies are doing business here in Bangladesh. So, to get commercial advertisement is possible for ANA.com.This integrated support to the young entrepreneurs will change lives of Bangladeshi young people.

In 2000  we provided  to rural people a government   monthly newspaper  related to agricultural   (KRISHI KATHA.) group basis. !0 KRISHIKATHA read 10 people per day excluding Friday. We arrange to read 100 farmers per month. ( people among 10 did not   know about KRISHIKATHA before that time.

According to survey conducted by BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics)  in Bangladesh 2013“ICT use and Access by Individuals and households” .

94.1% household in urban areas and 85.2% in rural areas are connected with mobile phone.

Since 2018 all Union Councils are equipped internet based information centre.

Some other sources say 50% rural young people hold android phone.

Bangladeshi youth people from age range   15-24 years: 19.36% (male 15,309,543/female 15,241,971) .So easily we can assume percentage will be higher  if we take range between 15-35 & must be 25% .

Our young people are educated and education level is rising highly. They don’t like to be addicted or terrorist or don’t want to be unemployed. Though addiction, terrorism, religion fundamentalist terrorism already have been   our social problems. We are very much hopeful our young people such different type service from private sector.

So, ANA.com is the right time decision.

Bangladeshi youth people from age range   15-24 years: 19.36% (male 15,309,543/female 15,241,971) .So easily we can assume percentage will be higher  if we take range between 15-32 & must be 25% . But on the other hand migration rate is only -3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.). We need diversification in agriculture sector . Agriculture based industry particularly in  agro based  SME sector is essential to keep in mainstream of the huge youth people in town and rural level.  If they can develop skill in agro based sector they will be able to migrate (if required) to the other town and city level even to the foreign countries.

Our young people are educated and education level is rising highly. They don’t like to be addicted or terrorist or don’t want to be unemployed. Though addiction, terrorism, religion fundamentalist terrorism already have been   our social problems. We are very much hopeful our young people such different type service from private sector.

ANA.com the news portal will be in Bangla language.

Focus will be given to the :

Modern Farming.

Introducing with new sub –sector and opportunities in those sectors.

Case study successful farmers.

New job circular in the agriculture sector.

New business opportunity analysis .

Marketing area discussion & price discussion.

B. Education  on farming system.

C. Weather news.

D. Climate friendly cultivation system.

More than 70% young people are literate. So, there is lot of opportunity to bring  under ana.com as reader or beneficiaries. To count the reader we will keep the option to be register as reader .

Step by step:

You must have to register or sign up to read the news portal or to get the opportunity as beneficiaries/support services.

Sign up then every time sign in

Provide your basic information with cell phone number.

For training  or support services like credit or business opportunity provide your address ,education with cell no.

The project is innovative . We never found such multiple support for young people in agriculture sector. So, that is innovative . Before  ending the year we will add more money in revolving fund . Our organization is trying to collect such  revolving funds from own sources.

ANA.com introduced to promote  effective use of ICT in agriculture. Because we want to reduce irregular rural –urban migration  . A big amount of young graduates are coming in job market every  year . Most of them are un skilled or under skilled  but going to urban ,city level with dream . Fact is that government or private sector are not capable to provide them job. On the otherhand traditional agriculture should be transformed to commercial and modern agriculture.  They should be involved with modern agriculture,agro-based industries,sub-sectorof agriculture . News on new market,maketing,price,weather ,export-import market will be provided in ANA.com and young people will sign up to register. So, We will be capable to build up a data base of age group 18-35. No gender will be considered.  They will encouraged in agricultural businesses may be trading,maketing,retail,wholesale,export-import. Another group will be prepared as entrepreneur. All will be given training and loan support. So, this is innovative business model . this not traditional news portal. Many news paper in Bangladesh  print education page, weekly job page. So, innovation everywhere being explored. WE think ANA.com will be popular to young people.

We have  arranged to read government monthly agriculture based news paper KRISHIKATHA for 100 farmer in rural level. They inspired us to continue but was our own fund and could not continue.

We decided the education project be for young farmers who can bring the change in this sector.

. Then we have  prepared MARKETING AND AGRICULTURAL MARKETING  :  COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND PROSPECTS

A Collected Work from Different Literatures 97 paged comparative analysis .

Our survey says they required training, authentic  source of price information and capital.  We found 40% farmers are interested to be involved or like to see involvement of their young members in agriculture related businesses for extra income.

In 2018 from 1st July to 31 December we regular collected agri news, column, analytical reports from two renowned dailies .survey shows only .34% coverage get agriculture sector. 

On the other hand Bangladesh now Asia,s 5th  top internet using country. availability rate now 55.8% according to survey conducted by BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics) “ICT use and Access by Individuals and households in Bangladesh 2013” .

94.1% household in urban areas and 85.2% in rural areas are connected with mobile phone.

Since 2018 all Union Councils are equipped internet based information centre.

Some other sources say 50% rural young people hold android phone.

At last we developed the project which is being submitted to you

The success will be measured in different ways. First  year registered reader of ANA.com quantity fixed 35000.Credit and training service will be provided   to 700 people.

In next years will be creating 350000 readers and training, consultancy ,loan service  will be provided to 10000 young agricultural entrepreneurs. No gender will be considered and rural and semi urban area will be considered. Readers mentioned here only those who are registered to get service that means they will enter in the main page with sign up facility.  But any reader can read this news paper. That is not possible to quantify at this moment.  If we get fund from tiger Challenge of MIT would use as revolving fund one (1) million dollar. So, this not possible to predict how many people will come under this project within five(5) years .We want MIT with us to  market analysis ,age and qualification indicators survey. Regular monitoring and evaluation may be key. Young entrepreneurs performance, responsibility to credit are  other indicators.

Our goal is to create employment and businesses in agricultural sector. We  like to create new generation entrepreneurs in this sector through news, information ,training, consultancy advisory services along with ensuring access to formal credit ( But not micro credit but  only small and medium  credit)  .

Measurable impacts after one (1) and five (5) years---

-How many subscribers (quantity) created. First year registered reader quantity fixed 35000.Credit and training service  to 700 people.

-How many young people registered as reader and applied for different services from ana.com

-How many young agricultural entrepreneurs trained up from us.

-How many young people received credit.

-How the credit holder performing(monitoring )

-How they are taking sustainability measure.

-Income level ,livelihood standard measure( Expectation form us 50% uplift).

 We also will develop formal top class credit policy, training manuals, consultancy capacity (by human resource  development) along with quality news portal ANA.com

ANA.com  social enterprise SWOT analysis:

STRENTH

• Research based easy to understand, effective information search  for ANA.com
• Right communication tools using for community awareness.
• First ever non-profit + profit  initiative for community service in agriculture.
• Though proposed for limited company(non-profit and profit joint venture)  but lot of opportunity to get donor assistance on the basis of components.

WEAKNESS

• Definition of agriculture and agro-based is different in different country .
• Level of awareness on multiple service in Bangladesh is very poor .so, we need to do work intensively .
• Lack of government registration authority  support is weak.
• Culture to deal credit in our country is not impressive.

OPPORTUNITY

• We have lot of opportunity to get national and  foreign  investment opportunity .
• Foreign donation opportunity for different components.
• E-news business in Bangladesh getting popularity.
• Education rate is growing high in Bangladesh and young couple based family should be our quick respondent.
• Bangladesh is a  around 15 million family based country. This is one of the biggest market in the world in future.

THREAT

• Social enterprise system is not well known to all.
• Market structure is not strong. many frauds and lack of perfect competition.

First barrier is lack of right data.  How many young people living in village and semi urban areas. Who are educated  and using or interested to use modern technology in their daily lives.  Though ANA.com has proposed in such a way where reader or subscriber data bse can be prepared through sign up system  and they will treated a interested group.

Social barrier is another . Proper knowledge on entrepreneur ship is rare. Our people are habituate in loan without training and mental preparation .Our country also is not habituate in professionalism . Though modern generation is changing their mind.

Cultural problem here is a factor. Our senior citizen group are loan defaulter in many areas. So, new new generation can be affected.

We will form Ana.ocm is a limited company. Non-profit and profit joint venture, But It could be better if government give registration a non-banking financial institution as different wing of ANA.com. Bangladesh Bank completely stopped to provide registration. But we think its not final. If MIT and other institutions be partner with us then once government will provide registration as non-banking financial institution under ANA.com in different name. Though it is not mandatory . ANA.com Ltd is enough to run two wings. 1. News,training,consultancy 2. Credit or financial services.

In Bangladesh promote commercialization of agriculture and ensure market price of produce foru sustainable and profitable agriculture  Create opportunities for agricultural product processing by establishing agro-basedu industries and ensure easy marketing and fair price of agricultural commodities by strengthening agricultural market management system and creating/improving transport, storage and processing facilities  Promote effective use of ICT in agriculture.

Now the time is very much suitable to provide multiple services through ana.com

This portal & mobile apps will bring new thinking window for people who are involved in agriculture related businesses and farming system.

Here mentionable Bangladesh ,s town ,city ,rural level people are being rapidly involved with agro sector businesses like pure agriculture, poultry, dairy, pesticides, seeds, agro machineries.

Lot of business from advertisements will make ana.com profitable. On the other hand ana.com will arrange different types training, short courses ,joint venture for skill development and income generate.  Service charge of small and medium loan from our revolving fund  will be our big source of income. -3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.).So, lot of young population remaining in their region.We must have to do it through young generation aged 18-35 who are educated ,not availing the opportunity to migrate and interested to be involved with commercial modern agriculture .This population group is large amount and looking for opportunity . So, huge opportunity and big market exists at this moment in Bangladesh.

Two men particularly. But few part timer and advisors are working.

I completed my  graduation  in ECONOMICS from Jahangir  University of Bangladesh in 1994-95. Then worked in some foreign aided projects. I am involved with Water & Essential(WE) Organization over the last  18 years. Total career duration is 25 years in development sector. I participated in many short courses including World Bank.

Mr. Hossain attended MSc in Economic Development and Policy Analysis in the Nottingham University Campus. He also attended various training sessions on Sales, Communication and Human Development over there. He obtained his Masters of Economics (First Class) in the University of Dhaka with honors. He also had a remarkable result in HSC Exams in 1987 as he stood first division first position in Humanities Group under Jessore Board. He is a

prudent banker and finance personality having a wide experience of working in national and multinational banks and local business conglomerates for over twenty two years. He is expert of local and foreign investment and a good consultant of investment policy.Now Mr. Hossain is a C.E.O of Finpower .

So, I think my team is best-placed to deliver  this solution.

FINPOWER is focused at helping business men of all walks in giving them advisory services and in preparation of business proposals, Project Profiles, Feasibility and arranging both local and foreign funds and any other services required by them including their team building, sales promotion, marketing, branding, PR maintenance, preparation of SOP, HR policy, sales and Marketing Policy etc.

FINPOWER is focused at helping the weak business units to make them profitable concerns and grow big providing all out supports required.

FinRESEARCH- As the Research Wing of FinPower, FinResearch acts as a research hub for their valued customers. They cover all aspects of Research, but they  primarily focus on the following services: Market Research

• Fin Power  have indicated verbal interest   . We believe as partner Fin Power have potential to be partner and this partnership has  valid hypothetical prospects. If MIT finance ANA.com project Fin Power orally committed to provide  1000000 BDT(15000 US$). That means this contribution will be converted as share in ANA.com

Our business model embodied  as non-profit and profit joint venture. Different dimensional social impacts have in the model. So, theoretically this is social business model. Partially we tested impacts of society by distributing agriculture based news paper to the farmers. Our social business model ANA.com impacts in two ways. First, this touches our employment sector. The fast growing youth educated unemployed group. Second, Bangladesh needs to transform its agriculture sector from traditional to commercial to increase productivity of this sector and to absorb  local  educated youth group. If ANA.com is funded then agriculture of Bangladesh will enter quickly in commercial production even can enter more in export market.  In 2018 from 1st July to 31 December we regular collected agri news, column, analytical reports from two renowned dailies .survey shows only .34% coverage get agriculture sector.  So, Bangladesh both printed and electronic media give less emphasis on this sector. Bangladeshi youth people from age range   15-24 years: 19.36%  .So easily we can assume percentage will be higher  if we take range between 15-32 & must be 25% . But on the other hand migration rate is only -3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.). We need diversification in agriculture sector. Our young people are educated and education level is rising highly. They don’t like to be addicted or terrorist or don’t want to be unemployed. Though addiction, terrorism, religion fundamentalist terrorism already have been   our social problems.

In Bangla language this type wider initiative is first. To make commercially viable this type portal first ever. More that 1000+ big companies now in this sector doing business successfully.  So, Lot of opportunity to get  regular advertisements. We will generate income from young entrepreneurs training and support services like business creation, consultancy, credit to the young entrepreneurs(depending on donors) . We do hope national and regional news paper will subscribe our news and analysis. So, income from advertisement, investment as credit(loan service),income from consultancy service will make ANA.com financially  sustainable.

I am a student of Economics. MIT is house to build up famous Economists worldwide. My teacher Professor.Akhlakur Rahaman was a PhD student of MIT.MIT name encouraged me. Secondly I am flexible development worker. I can work in city to rural area. I am proud for my flexibility and adaptability .I find new idea from mass people. Last some years I am looking for an opportunities to be best social entrepreneur. MIT challenge is one of them That,s why I applied here.

Any investor can be partner with us. For profit or non-profit. Any donor can full or partially(component basis) can participate.

Any technical assistance or partner with fund in revolving fund For Small and Medium Enterprise loan in agriculture sector welcome to ANA.com