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The government has decided to roll out a smart Farmer Card for all farmers across the country alongside the previously announced Family Card.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan disclosed the information on Monday while speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting at the Cabinet meeting room of the Bangladesh Secretariat.
"The Farmer Card will be distributed to farmers nationwide as quickly as possible in line with the Prime Minister's directive," he said.
"The Prime Minister has instructed all relevant ministries to start the process of distributing smart farmer cards. Through this card, farmers will receive government services directly, and the interference of middlemen in the procurement of agricultural inputs will be stopped," the minister said.
He noted that the government had previously committed to introducing the smart farmer card and that Monday's meeting represented the first formal step toward its implementation. "Our commitment was to provide farmer cards along with family cards. Work will now begin through a pilot project," he said, adding that the initiative will be rolled out in phases across the country.
The Prime Minister chaired the meeting, which included participation from ministers of relevant ministries.
When asked about the card's benefits, Swapan explained that all production-related services would be integrated into the smart system. Farmers will gain direct government support in areas such as agricultural knowledge and advisory services, easy access to modern machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, quality seeds and other essential agricultural inputs.
Additionally, the smart system will provide farmers with real-time information on market conditions, production forecasts and weather updates. "This will help farmers make informed decisions, and the state will also be able to plan more effectively," Swapan said.
Stressing transparency, the minister said the government is transitioning toward a fully digital and smart system to eliminate leakage and third-party interference. "Just as a mobile SIM buyer gets direct service, direct communication will be established between the farmer and the state through this card. There will be no third party," he said.
The minister confirmed that all farmers in the country will eventually be enrolled in the scheme. While the programme will start with a pilot project, the timeline for nationwide rollout will depend on preparatory work and logistical readiness.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/national/1f110c5d-0744-6ac0-adc4-4722badf4fbb