The government has proposed a total allocation of Tk43,335 crore for the agriculture, food security, fisheries and livestock sectors in the 2026-27 fiscal year, reflecting a modest increase in the sector’s overall budgetary priority. The allocation represents 0.63 per cent of GDP, slightly higher than the 0.61 per cent recorded in the revised FY26 budget.
The proposal was placed in Parliament on Thursday as part of the national budget for FY 2026-27. Earlier in the day, the Cabinet approved the budget at a special meeting held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other Cabinet members attended the meeting before the budget was presented in the House.
Farmers Card programme expanded to 100 upazilas
As part of its strategy to strengthen agriculture as a key driver of national growth, the government has decided to expand its flagship Farmers Card (Krishok Card) programme during the upcoming fiscal year.
The programme, formally launched on Pahela Boishakh this year, aims to deliver 10 essential services directly to farmers at the grassroots level. Under the FY27 plan, 42.5 lakh farmers in 100 upazilas will receive Farmers Card, while the government intends to gradually bring all farmers across the country under the scheme in phases.
The initiative also includes direct financial support for vulnerable farmers. Landless and marginal farmers enrolled in the programme will receive Tk2,500 in annual cash assistance. To support implementation, the government has proposed an allocation of Tk1,062.50 crore in the new fiscal year.
Loan waiver and subsidy support continue in agriculture sector
The budget also continues support measures announced under the government’s election commitments, including the agricultural loan waiver programme covering crops, fisheries and livestock sectors.
Under the initiative, agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, including interest, have already been waived. For this purpose, Tk1,567.96 crore was allocated in the current fiscal year.
At the same time, the government has maintained support programmes designed to lower production costs and strengthen farm output. Farmers will continue to receive free seeds, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs under rehabilitation and incentive schemes. Subsidised fertiliser distribution at the farmer level will also remain in place as part of broader efforts to support agricultural production.
Push for mechanisation and cold chain expansion
The FY27 budget places significant emphasis on modernising agriculture through increased mechanisation and improved post-harvest management.
According to the budget proposals, agricultural mechanisation programmes will be strengthened to reduce dependence on subsidies while improving productivity and ensuring sustainable production growth. The government also plans to intensify crop diversification efforts to encourage higher-value agricultural production.
To reduce post-harvest losses, cold storage and cold chain facilities are being expanded across the country. A specialised cold storage facility is also being established in the Barind region to support mango growers. In addition, work is underway to create a comprehensive national farmer database to improve the distribution of agricultural inputs and ensure more efficient implementation of rehabilitation and incentive programmes.
The government has also reiterated its commitment to the canal excavation programme originally introduced by a previous BNP government and recently revived by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Alongside other ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture will undertake extensive activities under the programme.
Food storage capacity and procurement targets increased
Food security remains a major focus of the FY27 budget, with the government proposing several measures aimed at strengthening food reserves and improving market management capacity.
Under the plan, national food grain storage capacity will increase from 23.16 lakh metric tonnes to 24.50 lakh metric tonnes. The government has also set a higher food grain procurement target of 41.29 lakh metric tonnes for FY27, compared with the revised target of 38.19 lakh metric tonnes in FY26.
The proposed increases indicate a stronger emphasis on maintaining strategic food reserves and enhancing the government’s ability to respond to market fluctuations and supply disruptions.
Food-friendly programme supports 55 lakh families
The government has continued a number of food assistance programmes designed to support low-income households and strengthen food security.
Under the food-friendly programme, 55 lakh beneficiary families will continue to receive 30 kg of rice per month at a subsidised rate of Tk15 per kg for six months each year. The programme remains one of the country’s largest food support initiatives.
Subsidised rice and flour distribution will also continue through more than 1,000 sales centres across the country. In addition, the government has expanded Open Market Sale (OMS) operations to 419 upazilas, where rice is being sold at Tk30 per kg to help stabilise prices and improve affordability.
To strengthen oversight of the food market, an online monitoring system has also been introduced to track food grain prices and support market supervision efforts.
Fish production target set at 56.35 lakh tonnes
The fisheries sector has received renewed attention in the FY27 budget, with the government setting an ambitious production target of 56.35 lakh metric tonnes.
Alongside increasing domestic production, the government aims to strengthen export performance under its blue economy strategy. As part of that effort, it has set a target of raising fisheries export earnings to $1 billion by 2030.
The targets reflect the government’s broader intention to enhance the contribution of fisheries to economic growth, export earnings and employment generation.
Fisheries access, insurance and support expanded
Several new and ongoing initiatives have been included in the budget to support fishermen and expand opportunities in the fisheries sector.
Under the ‘Jal Jar Jola Tar’ policy, water bodies, coastal canals and haors are being opened to local fishermen and poor communities to improve access to fishing resources and strengthen livelihoods.
The government has also undertaken measures to bring 15 lakh fishing families under the VGF programme. In a first for the sector, a fisheries insurance programme has been introduced to help fish farmers manage risks and reduce vulnerability to losses.
Plans have additionally been adopted to mechanise commercial fish farms, while efforts are underway to ensure the production and supply of safe, quality feed for poultry and fisheries farms.
Livestock farmers brought under Farmers Card system
The budget proposes expanded support for livestock farmers through their inclusion under the Farmers Card framework.
According to the government, livestock farmers have already been brought under the programme to facilitate access to subsidies, fair pricing mechanisms, easy credit, insurance coverage and improved marketing opportunities.
The initiative is intended to strengthen the livestock sector while providing greater institutional support to farmers engaged in animal husbandry.
Overall allocation rises slightly in GDP terms
Overall, the government has proposed Tk43,335 crore for the agriculture, food, fisheries and livestock sectors in FY27, compared with Tk37,126 crore in the revised FY26 budget.
The sector’s share of GDP has increased slightly to 0.63 per cent from 0.61 per cent a year earlier. While the rise is modest, the budget combines higher allocations with a range of programmes focused on farmer support, food security, agricultural modernisation, fisheries expansion and livestock development, signalling continued policy attention to sectors that remain central to rural livelihoods and national food security.
