Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday launched the ‘Farmer Card’ programme, handing over the cards to farmers on the first day of the Bangla New Year 1433.
The inauguration took place at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail, where the Prime Minister formally introduced the initiative among farmers of Tangail Sadar upazila during Pahela Baishakh celebrations.
The Prime Minister pressed a button on a laptop and launched the pre-pilot programme nationwide around 12:22 pm, saying Bismillah (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.)
Later, he handed over Farmers’ Cards and tree saplings to 15 marginal farmers including Md Abu Kaysar, Md Roman, Shahnur Alam, Md Shah Alam, Zulekha Akhter, Nasima Khanam Sumona, Shilpi, Amena Begum, Nawab Ali, Mohammad Ali, Kabir Hossain, Monowara Akhter, Shamima Akhter, Laila Begum and Tahmina.
As soon as the programme was launched, Tk 2,500 was transferred directly to the bank accounts of 22,067 farmers in 11 upazilas through mobile banking.
In Tangail alone, 1,453 farmers received the money.
The programme organised by the Ministry of Agriculture began with recitations from the Holy Quran, Gita, Bible and Tripitaka.
Several thousand farmers along with leaders and supporters gathered at the stadium, creating a festive atmosphere on the Bangla New Year.
People filled both the ground and gallery areas.
Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid presided over the programme.
Among others present were Prime Minister’s political adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizbi, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock and local MP Sultan Salauddin, FAO Representative in Bangladesh Jiaoqun Shi, and Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul Islam.
The Farmers’ Card aims to directly support and empower farmers, who are considered the backbone of the country’s economy.
The initiative is designed to bring modern technology into agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Under the programme, farmers will receive a debit card linked to a bank account opened in their names through Sonali Bank.
The card will allow them to access services such as fair-priced agricultural inputs, irrigation support, easy loans, subsidies, training, weather updates, crop advice and insurance.
In the initial phase, about 22,067 landless, marginal, small, medium and large farmers, as well as those involved in fisheries, livestock and salt production will receive Tk2,500 annually through the card.
Officials said the programme will first be implemented on a trial basis in 10 districts covering 11 upazilas, with around 30 lakh farmers expected to be included in phases.
The project will be carried out in three stages — pre-pilot, pilot and nationwide rollout. The pre-pilot phase is expected to cost about Tk8.34 crore. A wider pilot in 15 upazilas is planned by August, followed by a nationwide expansion over the next four years.
bd-pratidin/GR
