PM to inaugurate Farmer Card distribution on April 14

Tarique Rahman is set to formally launch the Farmer Card programme on a pilot basis on April 14, marking the first day of the Bangla New Year 1433.

The decision was taken at a review meeting held today at the Cabinet Division Conference Room of the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by the prime minister.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly confirmed the development to BSS, saying a four-member committee of secretaries, led by the finance secretary, was formed to oversee the implementation of the programme.

Among others, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku and State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam attended the meeting.

Describing the initiative, the press secretary said the Farmer Card would be more than just an identification card — it would represent the rightful entitlements, dignity and security of farmers, placing them in a position of priority and respect.

Through the card, farmers will gradually gain access to a range of services, including agricultural inputs at fair prices, government subsidies and incentives, affordable access to machinery, irrigation facilities, easy-term agricultural loans, crop insurance, fair marketing opportunities, training, digital access to weather and market information, and advisory support on crop diseases and pest control.

In addition to crop growers, fish farmers, livestock rearers and dairy farmers will also be brought under the programme’s coverage.

Under the pre-piloting phase, authorities will collect data on all categories of farmers within the next 45 days and distribute Farmer Cards across nine blocks in nine upazilas spanning eight divisions. During this period, selected farmers will receive financial grants — at government-fixed rates — to support crop production in the Kharif-1 and Kharif-2 seasons.

The proposed upazilas include Tangail Sadar, Shibganj in Bogura, Panchagarh Sadar, Islampur in Jamalpur, Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, Nesarabad in Pirojpur, Juri in Moulvibazar, Cumilla Sadar and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.

The programme will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture. Each landless, marginal and small farmer is expected to receive an average subsidy or input assistance grant of Tk 2,500.

Following the completion of the pre-pilot and pilot phases, the formal nationwide rollout of the Farmer Card distribution will begin on Pahela Baishakh 1433. The government aims to expand the programme to all upazilas across the country within the next four years.