The government has allocated Tk9,000 crore to give subsidy to farmers aiming to increase agricultural production amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“To meet the country’s food demand, different initiatives, including stimulus packages, have been taken and Tk9,000 crore bas been allocated for boosting crop production amid the coronavirus outbreak,” Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdul Razzaque told a press briefing at the secretariat in Dhaka on Thursday, reports BSS.
He said the farmer-friendly government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has allocated Tk9,000 crore to give subsidy to the growers.
Besides, the minister said, the government has allocated Tk120 crore for rehabilitation of farmers, while Tk50 crore for the farmers affected by natural disasters and cooperatives agriculture, and Tk75 crore for expansion of new crops and agriculture technology.
“Recently, Tk200 crore has been allocated for distributing machineries and seeds among farmers as agriculture assistance. Tk35 crore has been allocated for Aus seeds and fertilizers, while Tk36 crore for irrigation,” he said.
Razzaque said the government has set a target of producing 24 million tons of paddy during the Boro season this year.
Considering the possible shortage of labourers during the harvesting period of Boro paddy amid coronavirus outbreak, he said, an allocation has been given to supply 180 combined harvesters and 137 reapers to the haor regions on emergency basis.
The agriculture minister said combined harvesters and reapers are also being sent to the farmers of haor areas from the country’s other regions.
Noting that Aman production will be increased, he said the government will procure paddy directly from farmers at Tk26 per kg, while rice at Tk36 per kg.
“We are going to approve a Tk3,000-crore project. Once the project is implemented, the agriculture sector will be mechanized further,” he added.
In addition to this, Razzaque said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated additional Tk100 crore for mechanization of agriculture.
From the amount, 800 combined harvesters and 400 reapers will be distributed among farmers soon, he said.
The agriculture minister said the government has given Tk5,000-crore incentive to the agriculture sector and steps would be taken so that farmers can boost their agricultural outputs through the optimum utilisation of the incentive.
He directed all the agriculture officers to stay at their respective officers during the ongoing coronavirus crisis and stand by the farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Md Nasiruzzaman and senior officials of the ministry were present at Thursday’s press briefing.