Farmer Card distribution starts today

The government is set to distribute about 1.10 lakh Farmer Cards across 56 districts today as part of a nationwide pilot programme aimed at ensuring easier and more targeted delivery of agricultural subsidies.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to formally inaugurate the programme at Feni, where physical cards will be distributed to 7,643 farmers in six upazilas.
As many as 4.3 million farmers will receive the card in phases this year to bring agricultural support under a digital database, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid said on Wednesday.
He informed that about 1 lakh farmers would receive Tk2,500 each as agricultural input support on the inaugural day of the programme on 1 October.
The agriculture minister made these remarks while briefing journalists after inspecting preparations at the venue of programme for distributing Family Cards, Farmer Cards and honorariums at the Fulgazi Government Pilot High School in Feni.
“After successfully completing the pre-pilot phase of the Farmer Card programme, we have started creating a database of 4.3 million farmers under the pilot phase this year,” he said.
The main event in Feni will have direct two-way video conferencing links with 13 upazilas, while 64 other upazilas will also join.
The 13 upazilas connected directly with the Feni event are Tetulia in Panchagarh, Thakurgaonsadar, Gabtali in Bogura, Jashore sadar, Lalmohan in Bhola, Gazaria in Munshiganj, Shalla in Sunamganj, Burichang in Cumilla, Ramgati in Lakshmipur, Ruma in Bandarban, Kaliganj in Gazipur, Durgapur in Netrakona and Hathazari in Chattogram.

The minister said the government aims to gradually provide farmer cards and agricultural input assistance to all 4.3 million farmers within this year.
“The plan is to bring all farmers in the country under the farmer card programme within the next two-and-a-half to three years,” he added.
The initiative has been taken to help farmers purchase agricultural inputs and make it easier for them to receive government assistance for the development of the agriculture sector, Amin said.
He also said necessary preparations for the inaugural programme had been completed in coordination with the local administration and officials of relevant departments and agencies.
“The overall preparations are satisfactory, and everyone concerned is working to ensure the programme is held smoothly,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary MdSelim Khan, Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Abdur Rahim, Feni Deputy Commissioner Mohammad MahbubulKarim and officials of the concerned ministries and departments were present during the inspection.

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