Cumilla: The government will introduce crop insurance to protect farmers from losses caused by natural disasters, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said on Wednesday. ‘If crops are damaged by floods or other natural calamities, farmers will be compensated through insurance so that they do not suffer financial losses,’ the minister said while speaking at a programme in Cumilla.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister expressed the government’s commitment to implementing its pre-election pledges. ‘Many believed these commitments would remain only on paper, but after assuming office, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been implementing them,’ Amin emphasized.
The minister highlighted that initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, and honorariums for imams and muezzins are already being rolled out. ‘Though these initiatives faced criticism initially, they are now being effectively implemented after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party assumed power,’ he added.
Noting the importance of agriculture as the backbone of the country’s economy, which employs a significant portion of the population, Amin stressed that ensuring financial security for farmers is a top priority. He mentioned that various support programmes are underway to assist farmers, and the introduction of crop insurance would significantly reduce risks from natural disasters.
The government has already taken steps to strengthen farmers’ financial capacity through incentives, assistance, and easier access to agricultural loans. Such initiatives will be expanded further in the future, the minister assured. Additionally, on food security, he confirmed that the country has sufficient food stocks to meet demand for the next few months, emphasizing the government’s efforts to ensure no one faces a food crisis.
After the programme, the minister distributed 30kg of rice each among 1,879 beneficiaries in Amratali union under the ‘khaddobandhob karmashuchi’ (Food Friendly Program).