DHAKA, April 16, 2020 (BSS) – The government has allocated Taka 9,000 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 Taka 9,000 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 here today.
He said the farmer-friendly government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has allocated Taka 9,000 crore to give subsidy to the growers.
Besides, the agriculture minister said, the government has allocated Taka 120 crore for rehabilitation of farmers, while Taka 50 crore for the farmers affected by natural disasters and cooperatives agriculture, and Taka 75 crore for expansion of new crops and agriculture technology.
“Recently, Taka 200 crore has been allocated for distributing machineries and seeds among farmers as agriculture assistance. Taka 35 crore has been allocated for Aus seeds and fertilisers, while Taka 36 crore for irrigation,” he said.
Razzaque said the government has set a target of producing 2.4 crore metric tonnes 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 Taka 26 per kg, while rice at Taka 36 per kg.
“We are going to approve a Taka 3,000-crore project. Once the project is implemented, the agriculture sector will be mechanised further,” he added.
In addition to this, Razzaque said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated additional Taka 100 crore for mechanisation 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 Taka 5,000-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 the press briefing.