Tk 5,000cr stimulus package for agriculture sector

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday announced Tk 5,000cr special stimulus package for agriculture sector to fight the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The farmers who have been hit hard by the deadly virus can take loan from the package at five percent interest rate. 

The Bangladesh premier made the announcement while exchanging views with officials of the districts under Barishal and Khulna divisions through videoconference from her Gono Bhaban residence.

Saying that agriculture production must continue, PM Hasina told the authorities concerned to take measures so that farmers can go from a district to another to harvest, crops is not damaged, and bazaars stay open.

"Now we'll purchase 2 lakh metric tonnes of rice aims to ensure fair prices for the farmers," she said.

The prime minister also mentioned that her government allocated around Tk 100 crore for buying agriculture equipments, and Tk 100 crore more would be allotted to this regard.