Crop insurance for farmers on the cards: minister

Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid has announced plans to introduce crop insurance to protect farmers from losses caused by natural disasters.

Farmers will receive compensation if their crops are damaged by floods or other calamities, ensuring they are not financially burdened, he said at a rice distribution event at Shyampur High School in Adarsha Sadar upazila of Cumilla yesterday.

The minister said the government is steadily working to fulfil its pre-election commitments, and that since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office, efforts have been underway to turn them into reality.

He highlighted that initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, and honorariums for imams and muezzins are already being implemented.

The minister also said said the government has also taken measures to strengthen farmers’ financial capacity through incentives, assistance, and easier access to agricultural loans.

Describing agriculture as the backbone of the national economy, he said ensuring financial security for farmers remains a top government priority.

The introduction of crop insurance, alongside existing support programmes, is expected to significantly reduce farmers’ vulnerability to natural disasters, he said.

The minister also assured that the country has sufficient food reserves to meet demand in the coming months, and that the government is committed to ensuring that no citizen faces food shortages.

Following the event, jointly arranged by the upazila administration and the upazila food controller’s office, a total of 1,879 beneficiaries in Amratali union each received 30 kg of rice under the food-friendly programme.