110,364 farmers to receive incentives under pilot Farmer Card: Minister

Highlights:

• Pilot programme covers over 110,000 farmers
• Farmer Card to expand nationwide gradually
• Govt promises equal access for genuine farmers
• Teams monitor fertiliser irregularities

Some 110,364 registered farmers across Bangladesh will receive Tk2,500 each under the pilot phase of the government's Farmer Card programme, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said today (12 September).

The government plans to eventually bring more than 20 million farmers under the programme within the stipulated timeframe, he said.

The minister disclosed the plan during a press briefing in Fulgazi upazila of Feni, where he inspected preparations for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit and the inauguration of the Farmer Card, Family Card and monthly honorarium allowances for imams, muezzins, khadems, priests and sebayets.

The inauguration programme is scheduled for 17 September, with preparations underway, the minister said.

"On the opening day of the pilot programme, 110,364 registered farmers across the country will receive Tk2,500 each as an incentive. A total of 7,643 farmers in Feni district will receive the card," he said.

The programme will be gradually expanded to every upazila, union and block across the country, he added.

The minister said farmers would be selected without discrimination and that the programme would cover all categories of genuine farmers.

"All genuine farmers - marginal, small, landless, medium and large - will be brought under the programme," he said.

The initiative aims to ensure farmers can obtain fertiliser and seeds at fair prices while receiving fair returns for their agricultural produce.

Government assistance will also be delivered to genuine farmers in a more organised and transparent manner through the Farmer Card, Amin Ur Rashid said.

Responding to questions about fertiliser shortages, the minister said there was no shortage in the country and warned against attempts to create an artificial crisis.

"Anyone attempting to create an artificial shortage, harass farmers or sell fertiliser at inflated prices will face strict action. The government has a zero-tolerance policy towards irregularities and corruption involving fertiliser," he said.

He said authorities had received reports that fertiliser was being stored outside authorised dealers' premises.

"If fertiliser that is supposed to be with a dealer is found in another warehouse or with an individual, the matter is being investigated," he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture has formed several teams to monitor the situation, he added. The teams are working from 8am to 10pm and will take prompt action when they receive information about fertiliser-related irregularities.

The government is also prioritising agricultural modernisation and increased production in char areas, the minister said.

Plans are being formulated to assess how different chars across the country can be modernised and how agricultural output in those areas can be increased, he added.