The government today (14 April) launched the Farmer’s Card pre-pilot programme in Tangail on Pahela Boishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, marking another step towards fulfilling its election pledges.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the programme at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail.
Tarique said the Farmer’s Card scheme, aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers, is one of the key electoral pledges of the BNP government.
He pressed a button on a laptop and launched the pre-pilot programme nationwide at around 12:22pm, saying, “Bismillah.”
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, Tk2,500 was transferred directly to the accounts of 22,067 farmers in 11 upazilas through mobile banking.
In Tangail alone, 1,453 farmers received the money.
Earlier, the prime minister entered the stadium at around 11:20am.
Upon arrival, he went straight to the stage and greeted farmers by waving at them.
The programme organised by the Ministry of Agriculture began with recitations from the Holy Quran, Gita, Bible and Tripitaka.
Several thousand farmers along with party 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 Mohammed Aminur Rashid presided over the programme.
Among others present were PM’s political adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock and local MP Sultan Salauddin Tuku, FAO Representative in Bangladesh Jiaoqun Shi, and Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul I Mohamed.
The Farmer’s 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.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister left his residence in Dhaka at around 8:58am and travelled by road to Tangail.
From early morning, farmers from Tangail Sadar and nearby areas streamed into the stadium. Many, dressed in colourful attire, expressed excitement at seeing the prime minister and becoming part of the government’s new initiative.
Local representatives described the launch as a historic moment for Tangail, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to improving farmers’ living standards.
Farmers attending the event expressed hope that the card would ease their struggles, especially in accessing seeds, irrigation and financial support.
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