C T Online Desk: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday inaugurated the Farmers’ Card program in Tangail, marking the launch of its distribution and pre-piloting activities.
He joined the event as the chief guest virtually from Switzerland at around 12:30pm, while the main program was held at Shaheed Maruf Stadium.
During the program, the prime minister handed over the cards to 15 farmers and distributed tree saplings. He also inaugurated the program in nine other upazilas through video conferencing.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid chaired the event. State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultana Salauddin Tuku and the prime minister’s adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also spoke. Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul E Mohamed delivered the welcome address.
Earlier, the prime minister reached the venue at 11:20am.
Officials from various ministries, administrative officials, members of parliament, farmers and people from different professions were present.
In the first phase, 1,453 farmers in Tangail Sadar upazila will receive the Farmers’ Card.
Under the initiative, farmers will receive at least 10 types of benefits, including Tk2,500 annually, farmer identification, subsidies, loans, seeds and fertiliser support. The government hopes the system will reduce middlemen’s influence and ensure direct delivery of benefits to genuine farmers.
Farmers expressed optimism that the initiative will help boost production and increase profits if implemented properly at the field level. Officials also said the card will streamline access to various government services.
Later in the day, the prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate an agricultural fair at the municipal garden in the town.
A festive atmosphere prevailed in Tangail ahead of the prime minister’s program, with local leaders, activists and farmers expressing enthusiasm over the initiative.
