As Bangladesh prepares to welcome Pahela Baishakh, a new government initiative is set to reshape support for thousands of farmers across the country.
The distribution of ‘Farmers Cards’ will begin on the first day of the Bengali New Year, marking what officials describe as a major step towards modernising agricultural services.
Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid announced on Sunday that a total of 22,065 farmers have been initially selected for the programme.
The formal inauguration will take place at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail, where the scheme will be launched on a pre-pilot basis.
More than just financial aid
Each farmer will receive Tk 2,500 in annual cash assistance. However, the Farmers Card is designed to function as more than a simple support tool.
Issued through Sonali Bank, the card will operate like a debit card, allowing farmers to access a wide range of services. These include purchasing fertiliser, seeds, fish feed and livestock feed, as well as accessing agricultural loans, subsidies, insurance, training and advisory services.
Farmers will also be able to receive weather updates and market price information, helping them make more informed decisions.
Focus on small and marginal farmers
The initiative places strong emphasis on supporting the most vulnerable groups. According to the Agriculture Ministry, around 93.7 per cent of the selected beneficiaries are landless, marginal and small farmers.
Of the total, 2,246 are landless, 9,458 marginal and 8,967 small farmers, while only a small number fall into medium and large farming categories.
Officials say this targeted approach is intended to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.
Gradual rollout across the country
The programme will initially be implemented in 11 blocks under 11 upazilas across 10 districts in all eight divisions. Distribution will begin simultaneously in most areas on Pahela Baishakh, while the rollout in Adarsha Sadar upazila of Cumilla is scheduled to begin on April 17.
If the pre-pilot phase proves successful, the government plans to expand the programme to 15 upazilas by August 2026, with the aim of eventually rolling it out nationwide.
Towards a digital agricultural system
Officials say the Farmers Card initiative is part of a broader plan to build an integrated national database of farmers within the next four years. This is expected to improve the delivery of subsidies and strengthen agricultural planning and governance.
Launched at the start of a new year, the initiative reflects a wider push to combine financial inclusion with modern technology – bringing farmers closer to essential services and opportunities through a single platform.