Govt to give Tk198.9cr incentives to 14.6 lakh farmers

The government will provide free seeds and fertilisers worth Tk198.9 crore to 14.6 lakh farmers during the 2026-27 Rabi season to boost the production of seven crops.

Farmers will receive inputs for cultivating mustard, groundnut, soybean, mung bean, lentil, khesari (grass pea) and pigeon pea, according to an order issued by the Ministry of Agriculture on 2 November.

Mustard growers will receive the largest share, with 12.9 lakh farmers set to benefit. The programme will also cover 35,000 groundnut, 30,000 soybean, 30,000 mung bean, 20,000 lentil, 20,000 khesari and 5,000 pigeon pea farmers.

The assistance will come from the agricultural rehabilitation fund. District-level committees will distribute the allocations among upazilas, while local agriculture officials will identify eligible small and marginal farmers. Each farming family can receive support for only one crop.

The government has fixed the quantities of seeds and fertilisers required per bigha for each crop. The programme will cover blocks of at least 10 farmers collectively cultivating 10 bighas or more, with priority given to areas with potential for expansion.

Authorities must record beneficiaries’ national identity card and mobile phone numbers, update their agricultural cards and collect signatures or fingerprints as proof of receipt.

Beneficiary lists must be published on district and upazila websites. Implementation and harvesting reports must be submitted to the Department of Agricultural Extension within 10 working days of the respective activities.