বুধবার, ২২ এপ্রিল ২০২৬, ০৮:০৯ অপরাহ্ন
SANGSAD BHABAN, April 22, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that his government has taken various time-befitting plans for the development of country’s agriculture, by tackling different challenges triggered by climate change, population growth, reduction of land, and technological limitations.
“Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. Agriculture plays a very important role in ensuring food security, poverty alleviation, and economic development. However, due to climate change, population growth, reduction of land, and technological limitations, the agriculture sector is facing various challenges,” he said.
“To address these challenges and transform agriculture into a sustainable and profitable sector by increasing production and productivity, the Farmer Card was launched on April 14,” he added.
The Leader of the House said this while replying to a starred question from the treasury bench lawmaker from Tangail-6 constituency Md Robiul Awal while Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, was in the chair.
Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, said through this Farmer Card, 10 types of services, including agricultural inputs in fair prices, irrigation support, easy loans, subsidies, training, weather updates, crop protection advice, insurance, and fair market access will be given to farmers.
Gradually, all farmers in the country will be brought under this card, he said, adding that the current government has taken various timely plans for the development of the country’s agriculture sector.
As part of those plans, the Prime Minister said, the government has taken initiatives to expand modern irrigation systems along with use of improved and high-yielding seeds and balanced use of fertilizers to increase agricultural production and productivity.
To this end, he said, an initiative has already been taken to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across the country.
To promote agricultural mechanization, Tarique Rahman said, plans have been undertaken to make tractors, harvesters, reapers, and other equipment easily available to farmers by providing subsidies.
Besides, he said, the ‘crop zoning’ system has been introduced to bring fallow land under cultivation and ensure optimal use of land.
“Through this, crops suitable for the soil, climate, and environment of specific regions are determined. As a result, land wastage is reduced and production increases,” the premier said, adding, simultaneously, various programmes like increasing the use of surface water through canal excavation programmes have been undertaken to identify fallow land and bring it under cultivation.
In addition, he said, steps are being taken through special projects to bring fallow lands in the Sylhet region and char areas under cultivation.
The Leader of the House also said that the government is giving special importance to the diversification of agricultural products.
“The agriculture system, once dependent on rice, is now gradually being expanded to fruits, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, spices and flower cultivation,” he added.
Tarique Rahman said to make incentive and support activities for farmers transparent and accountable, subsidies will be provided through the Farmer Card for seeds, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and other areas.
Besides, initiatives are being taken to introduce low-interest agricultural loans and crop insurance, he said, adding, special assistance programmes are also being undertaken to rehabilitate farmers affected by natural disasters.
For the welfare of landless, marginal, and smallholder farmers, funds are allocated every fiscal year under the ‘Agricultural Rehabilitation Assistance’ of the Ministry of Agriculture, he said.
In the current 2025-26 fiscal year, Taka 7 crore has been allocated under the ‘Agricultural Rehabilitation Assistance’, the Prime Minister said, adding, from this allocation, Taka 401.60 crore has been released for distributing free seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs to smallholder and marginal farmers, benefiting 25.22 lakh farmers.
