Photo : BSS

JHENAIDAH, April 8, 2026 (BSS) - On the occasion of the Bengali New Year, around 1,600 farmers in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah are going to receive 'Farmer Card'. 

As part of implementing the election manifesto, the current government is distributing these cards under a pilot project. 

The Department of Agricultural Extension has already completed data collection and database entry of marginal farmers. 

The news of the Farmer Card distribution has created a joyful atmosphere among farmers in Abaipur Union of Shailkupa.

According to sources at Shailkupa Upazila Agriculture Office, information of about 1,679 farmers from the Kripalpur block of Abaipur Union has been collected. 

Among them, 194 farmers were identified as medium and large farmers after verification. 

Following online registration and further verification, 1,485 out of the 1,679 farmers have been nominated as 'monthly allowance or incentive recipient' Farmer Card holders.

The local agriculture office said through the Farmer Card, beneficiary farmers will receive financial assistance of Taka 2,500 per month. 

They will also be able to purchase fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds at fair prices using the same card. 

On the other hand, medium and large farmers under the programme will not receive the monthly allowance but will be able to buy fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides at fair prices using the card.

On Pohela Boishakh, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the card distribution programme nationally. 

Preparations for the inauguration ceremony at Abaipur Kripalpur Government Primary School ground are already underway. The Prime Minister will join the event virtually.

Beneficiary farmer Alam Molla told BSS that no previous government had paid attention to farmers. The new government is introducing the Farmer Card for them, he said adding officials concerned have already visited their homes to collect documents and photos. He expressed happiness about receiving the card on Pohela Boishakh.

Onion farmer Mithun Ali said that the prices of fertilizers, seeds, and irrigation water are rising. He has heard that farmers will receive Taka 2,500 per month through the card. 

He said this programme will help farmers survive and expressed gratitude to the government.

Another farmer, Samad Ali, said the government is launching the Farmer Card in 11 upazilas in the first phase, and they are included in it. 

He described it as a major benefit and hoped all farmers in the country would be brought under the programme.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Arifuzzaman told BSS that the data collection and verification process was conducted with utmost transparency. 

Since it is a pilot project, not all farmers in the upazila could be included yet, he said. However, the government may soon bring all farmers under this program and plans to expand it nationwide, he added.

He said through the Farmer Card, farmers will receive monthly financial assistance and also be able to use the card at POS machines to access fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and other benefits at fair prices.