Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the “Farmer Card” distribution program on April 14, marking the celebration of Pohela Boishakh 1433. The decision was taken during a review meeting held on Wednesday (March 4) at the Secretariat’s Cabinet Division conference room, chaired by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli confirmed that a four-member secretary committee, led by the Finance Secretary, has been formed to oversee the program.
The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid, State Minister for Agriculture Sultan Salauddin Tuku, and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam, along with other relevant officials.
Saleh Shibli stated that the Farmer Card will not be just an identity card; it will serve as a symbol of the rights, dignity, and security of every farmer in the country. Through this card, farmers will gradually receive a range of government services.
Under the Farmer Card program, farmers will gain access to:
Agricultural inputs at fair prices
Government subsidies and incentives
Affordable use of farming machinery
Irrigation facilities at reasonable rates
Easy agricultural loans
Crop insurance
Opportunities to sell produce at fair prices
Agricultural training
Weather and market information via digital platforms
Guidance on pest and disease control
The program will cover not only crop growers but also fishermen, livestock farmers, and dairy farmers.
Saleh Shibli added that, in the pre-pilot phase, data for all types of farmers will be collected within 45 days. The card will then be distributed in nine blocks across eight divisions:
Tangail Sadar
Shibganj (Bogra)
Panchagarh Sadar
Islampur (Jamalpur)
Shailkupa (Jhenaidah)
Nesarabad (Pirojpur)
Juri (Moulvibazar)
Comilla Sadar
Teknaf (Cox’s Bazar)
The program will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Under this initiative, landless, marginal, and small farmers will receive assistance of 2,500 BDT for subsidies or agricultural inputs. Additionally, during the Kharif-1 and Kharif-2 seasons, eligible farmers will receive financial grants at government-determined rates.
The Press Secretary also said that, after the pre-pilot and pilot phases, the government plans to implement the Farmer Card program in all upazilas nationwide within the next four years.
