The government has proposed a combined allocation of Tk 43,335 crore for the agriculture, food, fisheries and livestock sectors in the FY2026-27 budget, aiming to strengthen food security, modernise agriculture and expand support for farmers, fishermen and livestock producers.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced the allocation while presenting the national budget in Parliament on Thursday.
The proposed allocation is equivalent to 0.63 percent of GDP, up from Tk 37,126 crore, or 0.61 percent of GDP, in the revised budget for FY2025-26.
Presenting the budget, the finance minister said the government aims to transform agriculture into a key driver of national prosperity through a self-reliant, climate-resilient and technology-based production system.
To reduce production costs, the government will continue subsidised support for fertilisers, seeds and irrigation while expanding agricultural mechanisation, cold storage facilities and modern marketing systems to ensure fair prices for farmers.
A major initiative in the budget is the nationwide rollout of the Farmer Card Programme, launched on April 14 this year. Following a pilot phase covering more than 22,000 farmers in 11 upazilas, the government plans to distribute 42.5 lakh Farmer Cards in 100 upazilas during FY2026-27.
Under the programme, landless, marginal and small farmers will receive a one-time annual cash assistance of Tk 2,500 along with 10 additional benefits promised in the government's election manifesto.
An initial allocation of Tk 1,062.5 crore has been proposed for the programme.
The government has already implemented a loan waiver programme covering agricultural, fisheries and livestock loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, with an allocation of Tk 1,567.96 crore in the current fiscal year.
To strengthen rural production, concessional agricultural credit programmes will continue, including loans at 4 percent interest for cultivating pulses, oilseeds, spices and maize, as well as low-interest loans for salt farmers in coastal regions and farmers in hill districts.
The budget also places emphasis on irrigation efficiency and climate resilience. The government plans to expand canal excavation programmes, install solar-powered irrigation systems and promote water-saving technologies such as drip irrigation and aquifer recharge.
To support food production, fertiliser subsidies will continue. The government also announced that 30,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser received from Russia through the World Food Programme (WFP) will be distributed free of cost among farmers as incentives during FY2026-27.
Agricultural diversification, cold-chain expansion and post-harvest loss reduction have also been prioritised. A specialised cold storage facility for mango growers will be established in the Barendra region, while export-support facilities, including plant quarantine laboratories, will be upgraded to international standards.
The government also plans to strengthen agricultural research by developing high-yielding, drought-resistant and salt-tolerant crop varieties to address climate change challenges. New policies on agro-entrepreneurship and agricultural cooperatives are also being prepared to encourage youth participation in the sector.
Food security measures expanded
To strengthen national food security, the government plans to increase food grain procurement from a revised target of 38.19 lakh metric tonnes in FY2025-26 to 41.29 lakh metric tonnes in FY2026-27.
Food storage capacity will also be expanded from 23.16 lakh metric tonnes to 24.50 lakh metric tonnes over the same period.
The Food-Friendly Programme, under which 55 lakh low-income beneficiaries receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg during lean seasons, will continue.
The government has also expanded Open Market Sale (OMS) operations in 419 upazilas, where rice is being sold at a subsidised rate of Tk 30 per kg.
Digitalisation initiatives, including the Krishaker App and Food-Friendly Distribution App, will be expanded to improve transparency in procurement and food distribution systems.
Blue economy, fisheries and livestock receive focus
The fisheries and livestock sectors have been identified as national priorities under the budget.
The government has set a fish production target of 56.35 lakh metric tonnes for FY2026-27 and adopted plans to expand tuna and pelagic fish harvesting in deep-sea waters, promote seaweed cultivation and increase fisheries export earnings to $1 billion by 2030.
Kuakata and Salimpur will be declared new Marine Protected Areas, while a modern fishing port will be established at Matarbari to support sustainable use of marine resources.
To improve the livelihoods of fishing communities, social protection coverage under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme will be expanded to include 15 lakh fisher households, including those in haor and Sundarbans areas.
The government also plans to introduce the country's first fisheries insurance scheme and promote mechanised commercial fish farming.
In the livestock sector, emphasis has been placed on ensuring food and nutritional security through improved disease prevention, vaccine production and the supply of safe animal feed.
The government said newly developed Avian Influenza and Goat Pox vaccines are expected to be rolled out at the field level soon, while measures are being taken to strengthen animal healthcare services nationwide.
The finance adviser said the proposed initiatives aim to build a modern, sustainable and technology-driven rural economy while ensuring food security, increasing farmers' incomes and expanding agricultural exports.