Govt to provide fertilizers, seeds through cards

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the government will distribute fertilizers, seeds, and other agricultural inputs directly to landless, marginal, and small farmers through a dedicated farmer card system. Each farmer will receive subsidies worth BDT 2,500 per person for these inputs.

The minister made the announcement during the first session of the 13th National Parliament in response to a question raised by Kushtia-1 MP Reza Ahmed on Tuesday (31 March). The session was presided over by Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

He said the initiative aims to ensure food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods, promote economic growth, and support agricultural activities. In the pre-pilot phase, the distribution will target only landless, marginal, and small farmers via the card system.

Under the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Incentive Program, the government provides free seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs. In the current 2025–26 fiscal year, BDT 4,016 million out of the allocated BDT 7,000 million has been disbursed, benefiting 2,522,000 farmers.

To fulfill electoral pledges, the government has already waived up to BDT 10,000 in agricultural loans per farmer, with a total expenditure of BDT 15,500 million, benefitting around 1.2 million farmers.

The minister added that agriculture has been given top priority, with subsidies and support extended for fertilizers, irrigation, and sugarcane production amounting to BDT 16,240 crore by March 2026.

During 2025–26, the government supplied 26 million metric tons of urea, 9.5 million tons of TSP, 10.5 million tons of MOP, and 16.85 million tons of DAP to farmers at subsidized rates.

To support storage of farm produce, the government has constructed 180 mini cold storages for vegetables and fruits, 703 model storages for potatoes, and 800 model storages for onions.