Banks asked to collect data on farm loans of up to Tk 10,000

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked banks to provide information on agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 so that the data can be kept ready “for the next government”.

The agriculture credit department of the central bank recently sent an email to banks stating that the information was sought following an urgent instruction from a member of the Bangladesh Bank board of directors.

“You are requested to send via email the data—as of December 31, 2025—on agricultural and rural loans up to a maximum of Tk 10,000, including total principal, interest/profit, and outstanding balance,” according to the email seen by The Daily Star.

The central bank’s move to collect the information comes just days after Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairman Tarique Rahman, on January 29, pledged to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, and to introduce farmer cards if his party is voted into power.

Contacted, Arief Hossain Khan, executive director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, told The Daily Star that a director had placed the matter before the board.

When asked about the reason, he said the central bank wants to be able to supply the information quickly if the next government takes any initiative regarding agricultural loans or the agricultural sector.

“It may be coincidental that the issue arose at the same time as a political party chief’s announcement on waiving agricultural loans,” he added.

Officials at the central bank said resentment has grown among agricultural loan departments of banks over the matter.