Events and Activities
In May 2018, ACI Seed participated in DCCI Agro Tech Fair 2018 jointly organized by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and USAID’s Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) project at International Convention City, Bashundhara. The fair was held on 3-4 May 2018 to support agricultural exports, agro foods process machinery, agro finished foods, and related stakeholders from Bangladesh. In the exhibition, ACI Seed demonstrated its innovative products, technologies, and services available for the agricultural sector, especially for farmers.
“SHIFT-MDDRM Digital Banijjo Mela 2018” hosted by Dnet, are a series of community fairs held in Sherpur and Jamalpur districts during May 2018. The aim was to promote and create awareness on Digital Financial Services, Digital Solutions, FMCG opportunities and issues of Consumer Rights as per the objectives of the Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformations: Merchants Development Driving Rural Markets (SHIFT-MDDRM) program.
SHIFT-MDDRM is an initiative of The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Dnet, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity (BDMS) supported by the European Union. The aim is to enhance growth and competitiveness of retail merchants in rural Bangladesh through vertical integration with FMCG value chains and horizontal integration with financial service value chains, especially through the introduction and use of digital business technologies. SHIFT-MDDRM targeted to reach 10,000 rural micro-merchants (Mudi Dokan) and women entrepreneurs in its working areas. ACI Seed participated in three SHIFT-MDDRM Community Fairs at Sherpur Sadar (8-9 May 2018), Nalitabari (10-11 May 2018) & Melandah (14-15 May 2018).
Harvesting & Field Day for Hybrid Rice & Maize
ACI Field Crops Seed arranged a number of harvesting and field day programs over the country during the harvesting period of Rabi crops. In May 2018, 30 Field Days and 9 Harvesting Programs based on ACI Hybrid Rice “ACI-6” were conducted in Cumilla, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Jhenaidah, Jashore, Magura, Kushtia, Mymensingh, and Netrokona reaching around 1500 farmers. All those programs were conducted by Principal Company “MAHYCO” in association with ACI Seed. Participating farmers and dealers became highly motivated and confident enough to promote ACI-6 through those effective result demonstration programs. And it was predicted that about 300 MT of ACI-6 will be sold in the coming season with about 42% sales projection over last year. Lead farmers, prominent dealers, local leaders, UAO, SAAO, RSM, ASM, PM, Representative from Principal Company and Journalists of Local Newspapers i.e. Akash Khabar, Somoyer Samikaran, Paschimanchol etc. attended the programs. Mr. Ashraf Hasan, Product Executive-Field Crops Seed coordinated all the events.
On the other hand, 16 Harvesting & Field Days on ACI Hybrid Maize i.e. Don, PAC 139, Shahi & Profit have been conducted in Cumilla, Manikganj, Dinajpur, Bogra & Chuadanga districts during the harvesting period of Maize (April-May 2018). Approximately 1000 farmers attendant these field days. The varieties from ACI performed better across the country. About 377 MT of Hybrid Maize is predicted to be sold in next season with approx. 47% sales projection over last year. Mr. Sudhir Chandra Nath, Head of Business-ACI Seed; Mr. Golam Mostafa, Portfolio Manager-Maize & Potato; Regional Manager of respective region, lead farmers, dealers, local leaders and journalists of local newspapers attended the programs.
ACI’s NEB brings Better Yield for Maize
ACI Fertilizer arranged a field day for result demonstration of NEB on Maize crop in Thakurgaon Sadar on 23 May 2018. Former Director General of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), M. Enamul Haque was present in the program as the chief guest. Additional Director of Rangpur, Kbd. Shah Alam and Additional Director of Dinajpur, Kbd. Wazed Miah were also present as special guests on the occasion. Kbd. Bashir Ahmed, Business Director of ACI Fertilizer was present there as a guest of honor. Kbd. Aftab Hossain, Deputy Director Thakurgaon, Abul Kashem Azad, Deputy Director Nilphamari, Samsul Haque, Deputy Director Panchagarh, Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, Deputy Director Horticulture Dinajpur Kbd. Prodip Kumar Guho, Asst. Product Manager Md. Asadur Rahman and Regional Sales Manager Rejaul Islam, Area Manager & Territory Officers were also present there.
The honorable guests discussed the importance of NEB and its usage in crops. NEB is a blend of natural root exudates, which helps to increase microbial activities in the soil. It reduces the loss of nitrogen by saving the usage of Urea. So, application of NEB in crops surely helps to minimize the cost of Urea. Moreover, the field day demonstrated that the yield of treated plot was 11.96 MT/Hectare and control plot was 11.89 MT/Hectare. Around 200 Model farmers and local stakeholders participated in the program. They portrayed a positive vibe and showed interest to use NEB in Maize cultivation.
Field Day on Ratno NPKS Fertilizer
ACI Fertilizer’s Manikgonj area sales team organized a field day for Ratno Fertilizer focusing on Boro Rice at Karotia, Tangail on 23 May 2018. Union Parishad Chairman, Additional Deputy Director, UAO, SAAO of DAE, Stockiest, Retailers, 100 Model Farmers, Asst. Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Area Manager, Marketing Officer and the media representative of ATN Bangla were present in the program. Ratno Fertilizer is a balanced combination of 4 nutrients – Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium, and Sulphur which helps the farmers to use four nutrients in the field at the right dose at the right time. The yield of demo plot was 30 Mond/Bigha and control plot 23 Mond/Bigha. Observing the difference in field performance, the guests of the event focused on the effectiveness of Ratno balanced fertilizer and the prospect of its further use.
**Discussion Program on Organic Fertilizer **
ACI Fertilizer participated in a discussion program at Chandina, Cumilla with Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), a Non-Government Organization, as part of its engagement with the community in May 2018. Zonal Sales Manager, Cumilla and Marketing Officer, Cumilla territory joined in the meeting for local planning and coordination. Model farmers, Agriculture Officer, Cumilla, Livestock Officer, Cumilla and retailers of fertilizer & pesticides were also present in the discussion session. The meeting focused on Organic Fertilizer and its prospect in agriculture as well as in the food security. The farmers shared their thoughts and views in applying organic fertilizer to their fields for high yield. Agriculture Officer and ZSM, ACI also added some points and expressed their views in organic cultivation.
YAMAHA FZS Double Disc & R15 V3 launched
On 14 May 2018, ACI Motors launched two new models of motorcycle: YAMAHA FZS Double Disc and YAMAHA R15 V3. With the launching event, ACI Motors unveiled these new models officially in Bangladesh for the country’s motorbike lovers. Dr. F H Ansarey, Managing Director & CEO, ACI Motors graced the occasion with his presence. Mr. Subrata Ranjan Das, Executive Director, ACI Motors; Mr. Himanshu Sharma, Senior Manager, Yamaha Motor India and other high officials of ACI Motors were also present in the event.
ACI Motors is the only distributor of Yamaha motorcycle and spare parts in Bangladesh. Currently, there are more than 40 dealer points and two 3S Flagship Centre across the country.
ACI Motors: Sharing Ramadan’s Spirit with 10,000 Smiles
ACI Motors is sharing the spirit of Ramadan in numerous locations while arranging and having Iftar with local communities. In May 2018, it arranged a series of Mechanics Meet and on spot Iftar gatherings at many of its dealer points and rural areas all over the country. ACI Motors is expecting to reach at least 10,000 people mostly farmers, mechanics, drivers, and operators of farm machinery at the root level and have Iftar together in this Ramadan.
