Providing Power and Safe Drinking Water for Rural Communities in Bangladesh

Nov 12, 2014 9:30 AM ET

Because of their rural location, many of BAT's upland farmers in Bangladesh haven’t had an electricity supply. Access to clean water for drinking and sanitation can also be a major challenge for them.

Since 2011, BAT Bangladesh has provided over 1,300 solar energy panels that generate electricity for 15 remote villages in tobacco growing areas.
The company also runs a project which has, so far, installed 53 water filtration plants that purify up to 270,000 litres a day, providing much needed clean drinking water in 14 districts.

“Thanks to BAT, we now have safe and clean water in our village. They also trained us on how to maintain and repair the filtration unit – so now we can look after it ourselves in the community without having to rely on more outside help.”
Sirajul Islam, tobacco farmer in Jhenaidah region, Bangladesh

Find out more about BAT's support for farmers and rural communities around the world in its latest Sustainability Focus Report, available to download at www.bat.com/sustainabilityfocus.