Farmer Cards are being distributed to 10,721 farmers across Munshiganj's six upazilas under a government initiative to strengthen the agriculture-based economy, cut production costs and secure fair prices for farm produce, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.
In the first phase, 4,912 farmers are receiving cards. By upazila, the beneficiaries are Sadar (1,618), Tongibari (1,255), Sreenagar (1,874), Sirajdikhan (2,109), Louhajang (1,774) and Gazaria (2,091). The longer-term target is to cover 175,479 farmers in the district.
Each cardholder will receive Tk 2,500 in cash assistance. The card also gives access to farm inputs at fair prices, agricultural incentive programmes, easy-term agricultural loans and crop insurance.
Dr Md Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Munshiganj, said the aim is to ensure safe, reliable and comprehensive agricultural services for the development and welfare of farmers.
Munshiganj is one of the country's leading districts for potatoes, vegetables and rice, and local growers hope the cards will lower their costs and bring government support to them on time.
