Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin-ur Rashid distributed farmer cards among 1,458 farmers in Cumilla on Friday, marking a key step in the government’s plan to strengthen the agriculture sector.
He handed over the cards at a programme held at Bibir Bazar High School and College ground in Adarsha Sadar upazila.
Speaking as the chief guest, the minister said the government is working to make the country’s agriculture self-sufficient.
The minister said around 70 percent of the country’s population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture. He said a strong agriculture sector will ensure a strong economy.
He said, “BNP’s 31-point roadmap, announced before the election, gave importance to the development of the agriculture sector. The election manifesto also pledged to introduce a separate farmer card. Following the formation of the government, pre-piloting of the farmer card began under the Prime Minister’s directive.”
He added, “A total of 22,065 farmers in 11 agricultural blocks across 11 upazilas in 10 districts have received the cards through the programme, starting with Aranyapur block in Cumilla. The cards will be distributed to all farmers across the country in phases.”
The minister said, “The farmer card will help eliminate middlemen. Farmers will receive fair prices for their produce. Small, marginal and landless farmers will receive an incentive of Tk2,500, which they can use to purchase fertiliser, seeds, pesticides and other agricultural services.”
“Farmers will also be able to access government machinery at 50 to 70 percent subsidised rates through the card. They will also receive agricultural loans and insurance facilities,” Amin-ur Rashid further added.
He said the government plans to expand solar-powered irrigation pumps across the country. Farmers holding the card will be able to access the facility through cooperatives. He expressed hope that coordinated farmer-friendly programmes through the card will help achieve agricultural self-sufficiency.
Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Reza Hasan presided over the event. Among others present were MPs Haji Jasim Uddin and Atikul Alam Shawon, Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu, District Council Administrator Mostak Mia, Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul E Mohamed, and Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain.
Earlier, the minister handed over farmer cards and fruit saplings to farmers. After the programme, he inaugurated an agricultural fair set up beside the venue and visited stalls of different departments and agencies under the agriculture ministry.
