REJAUL KARIM BYRON

Around 21,000 farmers in 11 upazilas across the country will receive “Farmers’ Cards” through Sonali Bank in the pre-pilot phase of the new government scheme, according to finance ministry sources.

The decision was taken at a meeting earlier this month involving the agriculture ministry, the Financial Institutions Division, and Sonali Bank, the sources said.

Selected farmers will receive Tk 2,500 through the card to purchase fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs.

Under the pre-pilot phase, Sonali Bank will open accounts for farmers in 11 blocks across 11 upazilas, issue Farmers’ Cards in the form of Visa debit cards, and disburse government subsidies through them.

The bank will bear the cost of card preparation, while no fees will be charged for opening accounts. POS machines will also be provided free of cost at selected dealers’ shops.

A finance ministry official said multiple state-owned banks would be brought under the programme when the programme is expanded nationwide.

In this phase, the cards will be distributed through Sonali Bank branches in 11 upazilas -- Adarsha Sadar in Cumilla, Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, Tangail Sadar in Tangail, Shibganj in Bogura, Islampur in Gaibandha, Boda and Panchagarh Sadar in Panchagarh, Juri in Moulvibazar, Goalanda in Rajbari, Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, and Swarupkathi in Pirojpur.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) will implement the pre-pilot Farmers will also

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