Published : 04 Aug 2026, 10:29 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the preparation of a complete farmer list by December.
The directive came at a review meeting on the Farmer Card at his office in the Secretariat on Tuesday, Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said.
He said the prime minister had instructed authorities to complete the database through a transparent verification process.
Tarique also directed that the cards include farmers' photographs and QR codes, while storing information on identity, agricultural production, government assistance and agricultural markets.
The meeting was told that the bank account opening for farmers has already begun, with cards to be distributed in phases once preparations are complete.
Tarique launched the Farmer Card programme as a pre-pilot project in 11 Upazilas across 10 districts at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail on Apr 14.
On the same day, 22,065 marginal farmers received Tk 2,500 each directly into their mobile wallets.
The government introduced the card as part of the BNP's election pledges to ensure subsidies, soft loans, incentives and other state support reach genuine farmers quickly and easily.
Officials said 4.3 million farmers will receive the cards in this fiscal year, while about 20 million farmers are expected to come under the scheme within the next three years.
