ISLAMABAD: The Bangladesh government will pilot the distribution of 500,000 Krishak Smart Cards to farmers in 15 upazilas (sub-districts) within 180 days as part of a 2023-28 development program.
If successful, the initiative will expand nationwide, Bangladeshi media reported on Thursday.
The program aims to register 22.7 million farmers nationwide by 2028.
Digital card system
A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Monday directed authorities to roll out the digital card system as part of a technology-driven support framework for farmers.
Abul Kalam Azad, coordinator of the PARTNER programme, said the Food and Agriculture Organization is collecting data to prepare the beneficiary list.
Once the FAO submits the data and the feasibility study is complete, the Department of Agricultural Extension will finalize the beneficiary list and select the upazilas.
Financial, logistical incentives
The card will initially register 500,000 farmers, including landless peasants, small and medium farmers, lessees, and landowners.
Cardholders will be able to access financial and logistical incentives, agricultural advisories, weather information and other services.
If the pilot proves successful, nationwide registration will follow.
The PARTNER project, launched in 2023, has a total budget of $1.343 billion, funded by the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Bangladesh government.
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