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BFF Support: Adibashi Community-owned Food Banks

Project Background

Adibashi (indigenous) villagers in the northern district of Rajshahi are re-establishing traditional food security systems of their own through setting up community-owned, -operated and -controlled rokkagolas (food banks). These food banks are proving to be particularly effective in combating the dangers of monga i.e. seasonal food shortages that usually occur during the pre-harvest period.

The villagers secure the required land, erect the structure and deposit the start-up capital, i.e. the rice, in the bank and determine the loan terms and conditions for the banks. The ‘rice capital’ is built up over the course of the year by villagers donating handfuls of rice during the year, along with a larger amount of paddy after the harvest season. When a member requires food, he or she can borrow rice from the bank but is then later required to return the principal amount plus interest - all in the form of rice. This ‘rice interest’, known as dholon, is sold periodically with the resulting revenue then deposited in a community bank account. The revenue generated is then used for strengthening the community’s asset base through purchasing agricultural land or through different income generating ventures.

Project Details

CCBVO has assisted Adibashi villagers to establish 16 rokkagolas in 16 villages that are working to combat the seasonal hazards of monga, with almost 3,500 villagers benefiting under the project. Four more food banks initiated by other indigenous villages and independent of any external funding have also been set up.