110,364 farmers will receive incentives under Farmer Card programme: minister

Some 110,364 farmers will receive incentives under the Farmer Card distribution programme on the inaugural day of its pilot phase, which is scheduled for September 17, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said today.

The minister made the statement while briefing journalists after inspecting the venue of the inaugural ceremony of the Farmer Card, Family Card, and monthly honorarium allowances for Imams, Muazzins, Khadims, Purohits and Sebayets, at the Government Pilot School field in Fulgazi upazila of Feni district, ahead of the prime minister’s upcoming visit to Feni.

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On the inaugural day, each of the farmers enrolled in the Farmer Card programme will receive an incentive of Tk 2,500, while 7,643 farmers in Feni district will receive printed Farmer Cards, he said.

The Farmer Card distribution programme will gradually be expanded to every upazila, union and block across the country.

The government plans to bring more than two crore farmers under the Farmer Card programme within the stipulated timeframe, the minister said.

Aminur said there would be no scope for discrimination in distributing Farmer Cards. Genuine farmers from all categories, including marginal, small, landless, medium and large farmers, will be brought under the programme.

He said the government’s objective is to ensure that farmers receive fertiliser and seeds at fair prices and get fair prices for their agricultural produce. Through the Farmer Card, necessary government support will be delivered to genuine farmers in a more organised, transparent and accountable manner.

Responding to a question from journalists about fertiliser, the agriculture minister said there is no fertiliser shortage in the country.

He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to create an artificial crisis, harass farmers or sell fertiliser at excessive prices.

He reiterated that the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards irregularities and corruption involving fertiliser.

The minister said fertiliser is imported in a planned manner after taking into account the country’s annual demand.

Demand varies depending on the agricultural season, and supply and stocks are ensured accordingly. Therefore, there is no reason for a fertiliser shortage in the country, he said.

He further said reports had been received that fertiliser was being stored at different locations by people other than authorised dealers.

The government is investigating whether fertiliser that is supposed to be kept with dealers is in another warehouse or in the possession of any individual, he said.

The ministry has already formed several teams to monitor the situation. These teams are working from 8am to 10pm to take immediate action whenever reports of irregularities related to fertiliser are received.

The minister said some unscrupulous individuals cause losses to farmers, society and the country as a whole.

If investigations establish the truth of any irregularities involving fertiliser, action will be taken against those responsible in accordance with the law.

He added that unscrupulous traders would soon realise that there is no scope for such irregularities.