Haor affected farmers to get tk 7,500 per month: Agriculture Minister

The government has announced a three-month financial assistance for farmers affected by the recent floods in the country's haor areas. Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said that the affected farmers will get a minimum of Tk 7,500 per month.

He informed reporters after the second day of the District Commissioners' Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Monday (May 4).

The Agriculture Minister said that this assistance will be provided from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, Disaster Management Fund and other relevant sources. Initially, this financial assistance will be effective for three months. However, considering the extent of the damage, the amount of assistance may be increased in the future.

He also said that work is underway at the field level to prepare a list of affected farmers and a committee is being formed. The government's goal is to provide assistance to the actual victims as soon as possible.

At this time, the Agriculture Minister also spoke about the situation in the potato market. He said that despite a bumper harvest in the country, many farmers are not getting fair prices. To solve this problem, the government has introduced the farmer card system, which, if fully implemented, will make production planning easier.

He said that through planned production, farmers will get fair prices and consumers will also be able to buy products at fair prices. If necessary, quota-based plans can also be considered in the production system in the future.

The minister also said that the country has now started producing a special type of potato, which can be used to make French fries and chips. Earlier, these potatoes had to be imported, but now they are being produced in the country and there is a possibility of exporting in the future.

Regarding the entry of cows through the border, he said that some border markets have been closed and surveillance in border areas has been increased. There is no shortage of cows in the country.

Finally, he said that the interest of the young generation in agriculture and farm management is increasing, which is positive for the country's agricultural sector.