Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally launch the government’s pilot ‘Farmers’ Card’ programme on April 14, the day of Pahela Baishakh, fulfilling his election pledge to support marginal and vulnerable farmers.
The decision was finalised at a meeting on Sunday at 11am in the Secretariat, chaired by the Prime Minister, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
The ‘Farmers’ Card’ will initially operate as a pilot scheme. Eligible landless, marginal and small farmers will receive direct benefits, including subsidies, fertilisers, seeds and pesticides.
The government has planned an initial subsidy of around Tk 2,500 per eligible farmer.
The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid and State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku.
Prime Minister’s advisers on Finance and Planning, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Posts, Telecommunications and IT, Rehan Asif Asad, and State Minister for Local Government, Cooperatives and Rural Development, Mir Shahe Alam, were also present.
Before the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP pledged to introduce the ‘Family Card’ for women and the ‘Farmers’ Card’ for marginalised farmers. The Family Card provides women-led households with a monthly allowance, aiming to promote women’s empowerment, economic inclusion and social justice.
On March 10, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman launched the Family Card programme at the T&T Playground, adjacent to the Korail Slum in his constituency, fulfilling the party’s pledge to support women.
This launch came just three weeks after the government took office following a massive election victory.
The upcoming launch of the Farmers’ Card marks the next step in the government’s initiative to directly support vulnerable farmers, ensure equitable access to agricultural inputs, and strengthen rural livelihoods across Bangladesh.
