Farmer Card to be launched around Pahela Baishakh: Agriculture Minister

Food, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid Yasin has said that before the election, BNP announced the distribution of Family Cards to support poor and helpless women, and implementation of that programme began very soon after the election. Similarly, preparations to launch the Farmer Card to assist farmers are almost complete, and he expressed hope that it will be launched around Pahela Baishakh.

He made these remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the re-excavation work of a branch canal of the Dakatia River in Lal Mai upazila, Cumilla, and a subsequent gathering at the field adjacent to the canal on Monday afternoon, March 16.

He said nearly 70 per cent of the country's people are directly or indirectly involved with agriculture. If farmers' economic capacity increases, the country's overall economy will strengthen. With this goal, the government has already taken various supportive initiatives including agricultural loan waivers.

The minister said BNP had pledged to restart the canal excavation programme reminiscent of the era of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman upon coming to power. As part of that pledge, canal re-excavation and renovation work has begun in various parts of the country. Re-excavating canals will increase irrigation facilities, eliminate waterlogging, and enhance fish production potential. Alongside, initiatives have been taken to implement these activities based on voluntary labour involving local people.

He said the government's goal is to further strengthen the country's agricultural sector and place the rural economy on a sustainable footing through farmer-friendly policies.

Calling upon local people to play an active role in protecting and managing canals, the minister said if canals remain functional, agricultural production will increase, water drainage will become easier, and overall development of the area will accelerate.