Visa has joined Bangladesh’s flagship Farmers Card programme, supporting digital payments as the government moves to modernise subsidy delivery and expand financial inclusion.
The announcement followed the launch of the Farmers Card by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Pahela Baishakh, with the programme developed under the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with Sonali Bank, the company said in a press release.
The card, issued on the Visa network, combines farmer identification with digital payment capabilities to enable secure and efficient access to government benefits and services.
Visa Country Manager Bangladesh Nepal Bhutan Sabbir Ahmed said the initiative connects identity, access, and payments to improve transparency and efficiency for farmers while expanding their participation in the digital economy.
In the pre-pilot phase, about 22,065 farmers across selected upazilas have been enrolled, with financial assistance disbursed directly into bank accounts linked to the card.
On the launch day, 20,671 farmers, fishers, livestock rearers, and salt cultivators from 11 upazilas in 10 districts received the cards, with each eligible recipient getting around Tk2,500 as initial support for agricultural inputs.
The card allows users to purchase seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs while ensuring targeted subsidy use through a cashless system.
Sonali Bank Managing Director and CEO Md Shawkat Ali Khan said linking banking services with government programmes improves efficiency, transparency, and access for farming communities.
The programme is being rolled out in Tangail Sadar, Shibganj in Bogura, Panchagarh Sadar, Boda, Islampur in Jamalpur, Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, Nesarabad in Pirojpur, Juri in Moulvibazar, Cumilla Sadar, Goalanda in Rajbari, and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.
Farmers enrolled under the scheme will receive 10 types of support, including access to inputs and irrigation at fair prices, easier agricultural loans, low-cost machinery, subsidies, weather and market information, training, pest control advice, insurance, and fair pricing for produce.
Visa said the initiative provides a scalable model for integrating identity and payments in public sector programmes, with potential applications in other emerging markets.
