Expressing optimism, Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister on expatriate welfare and overseas employment, said that the ‘Farmers Card’ initiative will contribute significantly to the country’s socio-economic development.
Farmers Card will facilitate access to fertiliser, seeds, irrigation services and agricultural machinery. It will also create opportunities for farmers to receive training, he said while speaking at a press briefing held on Monday.
In the first phase, a total of 20,000 farmers in 11 upazilas across 10 districts will receive the cards. The programme will later be expanded gradually to include all farmers nationwide.
Govt aims to make farmers self-reliant, prosperous: PM
The fishermen and livestock farmers will also be brought under the scheme, he added
The adviser noted that the initiative would help ensure transparency in the distribution of agricultural subsidies and enable farmers to receive fair prices for their produce.
Earlier in the day, the government on Tuesday launched the Farmers’ Card pre-pilot programme in Tangail on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, marking another step towards fulfilling its election pledges.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the programme at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail.