Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the ‘Farmer Card’ distribution programme on a pilot basis on April 14 on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh-1433 Bangla Calendar. The premier disclosed the matter during the inaugural ceremony of the sports card and allowance distribution programme at his Tejgaon office this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ‘Farmer Card’ or ‘Krishak Card’ distribution programme aims to improve the living standards of the country’s people by fulfilling governmental pledges. The initiative will start with a pre-pilot phase where information from all categories of farmers is being collected. The full-scale programme will launch simultaneously in 11 upazilas on Pahela Baishakh.
The selected upazilas for the initial launch include Tangail Sadar, Shibganj in Bogura, Panchagarh Sadar, Boda upazila, Islampur in Jamalpur, Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, Nesarabad in Pirojpur, Juri in Moulvibazar, Cumilla Sadar, Goalanda in Rajbari, and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar. The Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture will implement the programme. It is designed to benefit landless, marginal, and small farmers, providing them with an average subsidy or agricultural input assistance of Taka 2,500.
In addition to the subsidies, certain categories of farmers will receive financial assistance at rates determined by the government during the Kharif-1 and Kharif-2 seasons.