TDS Desk:

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate the distribution of agricultural cards among farmers in Tangail on April 14, coinciding with Pahela Baishakh.

The program will be held at Shaheed Maruf Stadium at 10:30am, where the prime minister is expected to hand over cards to 15 farmers and distribute tree saplings.

Officials say the initiative aims to modernise and streamline services for farmers in line with the government’s agricultural support plan. In the first phase, 1,453 farmers in Tangail Sadar upazila will receive the cards.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the card will provide farmers with access to at least 10 types of government benefits, including annual financial assistance of Tk2,500, subsidies, agricultural loans, seeds and fertiliser.

Authorities believe the system will help ensure direct delivery of government support to genuine farmers, reducing the role of middlemen.

The program will initially cover 10 districts, including Tangail, and will be expanded nationwide in phases.

As part of the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 8am and visit the grave of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani at 10am. Later, she will inaugurate an agricultural fair at the municipal garden in Tangail town.

Preparations are underway in the district, with Shaheed Maruf Stadium being renovated and decorated for the event. Fair stalls are also being set up at the municipal garden, while roads in the town are undergoing repairs.

Farmers have expressed optimism about the initiative.

Harun Or Rashid, a farmer from Gharinda union, said the card would help them access fertiliser and seeds more easily, benefiting marginal farmers.

Amena Begum, another farmer, said she was pleased at the prospect of receiving the card, calling it a significant support measure.

Farmer Mohammad Ibrahim urged authorities to ensure that genuine farmers receive the benefits.

Local officials also welcomed the initiative, saying it would support marginal farmers and improve agricultural productivity.

District agriculture officials said the card would also enable farmers to access loans and insurance services, and facilitate the purchase of agricultural inputs.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sanjay Kumar Mahanta said all preparations have been completed for the programme.

Tangail Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar said a four-tier security system will be in place for the visit, with adequate police deployment across highways and key areas.

Officials hope the initiative will boost agricultural production, strengthen food security and support sustainable farming practices across the country.