In an effort to increase the production of Aman paddy, the government has taken a decision to provide Tk 33.20 crore incentive to 4.90 lakh small and marginal farmers across the country, said the Agriculture Ministry. Under the  scheme, a farmer will get five kgs of seeds of high yielding (Ufshi) variety of T-Aman paddy, 10 kgs of DAP and MOP fertilizers free of cost, said a handout of the ministry. The incentive is being given from the regular budget and rehabilitation assistance and seeds sector of the Agriculture Ministry. Already an order in this connection has been issued and the distribution of incentives will start soon in the field level.        

The Ministry of Finance has released cash incentives of Tk1,000 crore for Bangladesh's export-oriented knitwear sector. The ministry took the decision 11 days after receiving an application of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association's (BKMEA) for financial support for payment of salary and Eid bonus ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Read: Bangladesh Bank has revolutionised digitalisation of financial sector: Dr Atiur The request for cash assistance was made to the government on March 30 in a letter signed by the BKMEA president AKM Salim Osman. The letter stated that if the financial assistance is not given, the export sector may be in extreme trouble over the payment of salary and bonus to the workers before Eid. Bangladesh Bank has been instructed by the Ministry of Finance and the Comptroller General of Accounts to clear the amount of cash assistance. Read More: Dip in US market fails to dent apparel sector's growth momentum.

The government has started disbursing TK 170 crore as incentives to boost Boro paddy production across the country. A total of 27 lakh farmers will get seeds and fertilisers under the programme, said a press release of the Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday. The incentives are being disbursed in three categories. For boosting hybrid Boro production, 15 lakh farmers will get two kg seeds each spending Tk 82 crore of the incentives. Besides, 12 lakh more farmers will be beneficiary under the incentive of about Tk 73 crore for increasing the production of high-yielding varieties. Under it, a farmer will get 5 kg of seeds, 10 kg of DAP and 10 kg of MOP fertiliser required for cultivating one bigha land. Read more: Undisbursed portion of agriculture and rural loans will be disbursed to farmers by Bangladesh Bank body Apart from that, an incentive of Tk 15 crore will be given for simultaneous planting and harvesting of paddy in a field to facilitate the use of agricultural machinery. Under this, 110 blocks or exhibitions will be set up in 61 districts. Each exhibition will be held on 50 acres of land costing Tk 13.70 lakh. Read more: Floating vegetable farmers in Pirojpur devastated by low prices This incentives are being provided from the agriculture rehabilitation support sector under the regular budget of the Ministry of Agriculture. These incentives distribution programmes are ongoing at the field level and already about 50 percent of incentives have been disbursed.

Mobile financial service, bKash is offering 1 percent cash bonus on top of 2 percent government incentive on remittance, aiming to ensure more comfort for the expatriates in sending money to their loved ones through different banking channels. Currently, expatriates are sending remittance securely to 52 million bKash accounts through 10 commercial banks of the country via more than 50 money transfer organizations (MTO), said a press release. Also read:bKash hands over 300 more ventilators Using online or wallet transfer facilities, expatriates from 93 countries are sending remittance. Due to these facilities, the expatriates have sent remittances worth 138 million USD in 2020. This offer is applicable for sending any amount of remittance from Tk 10,000 or more. The offer will be valid until 31st May 2021. A customer can avail the offer twice in a month which means, maximum 4 times during the whole campaign. As a result, customers can get up to Tk 1,200 in a month and maximum Tk 2,400 during the offer period. Read Tk 150 discount coupon on Add Money from Bank/Card to bKash With the government incentive and bKash bonus, one customer will have the opportunity to send remittance of Tk 1.25 lakh per day and a maximum of Tk 4.5 lakh per month. Expatriates can send remittance to their loved one's bKash account instantly through online/internet transfer or mobile wallets without going anywhere. Also read:bKash customers can send money to five 'Priyo numbers .. Because of the convenient and fast way of sending money through banking channels, the remittance service of bKash is becoming more popular. This service is helping them stay safe during the pandemic as well. In addition, receivers can Cash Out the money at any time from any nearby agent point instead of wasting time and cost in reaching bank counters. While staying at home, they can also avail various bKash services through their wallets such as: utility bill payment, send money, mobile recharge, payment of educational institution or hospital expenses, payment of online shopping, etc. Due to these, relatives of the expatriates are also considering bKash as the easiest, safest and most convenient way of receiving remittance. Read UIU students can pay academic fees through bKash