Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday announced a new stimulus package of Tk 5,000 crore to provide financial assistance to small and medium farmers in rural areas for boosting agricultural production facing the fallout of Covid-19.
“Bangladesh Bank will formulate a new refinancing scheme of Tk 5,000 crore to pump running capital into the agricultural sector. We’ll create this Tk 5,000 crore stimulus package only for the agricultural sector. We’ll disburse money from this fund to farmers at only 5 percent interest,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while delivering her introductory speech in a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban with government officials from 16 districts under Khulna and Barishal divisions.
The money from this fund will be disbursed among small and medium farmers, including that of poultry and dairy sector, in rural areas, she said.
Besides, the existing disbursement of loan with 4 percent interest for spice items will continue, the Prime Minister added.
Noting that the government has already allocated Tk 100 crore for the Agriculture Ministry for the mechanisation of harvesting process of crops, she said the government will also allocate another Tk 100 crore in this regard.
Sheikh Hasina said the government will also allocate Tk 150 crore for the distribution of seeds and seedlings among the affected farmers so that agricultural production will continue.
She said directives have already given to the administration and the law enforcement agencies to allow the movement of people engaged in harvesting crops and facilitate the supply chain.
Hasina asked the authorities concerned to arrange a weekly haat (makeshift market) in an open field in every area maintaining social distancing so that the farmers can sell their produces.
“Bangladesh is mainly an agriculture-dependent country. Our agricultural activities will have to be continued. The most important thing is that it’ll have to ensure food security,” she said.
Observing that the lands of the country are very fertile, she said, “If we can produce foods properly, we’ll also be able to help many others (other countries) meeting our demand. So, we’ll have to continue the production so that the people of the country suffer.”
During the upcoming Boro season, the government will procure extra two lakh metric tonnes of paddy and rice compared to the last season to ensure fair price for the farmers, Hasina said.
Mentioning that the government has taken different stimulus packages and assistances, she said the government is always ready to help all-class people, including farmers, workers, daily-labourers, weavers, blacksmiths and fishermen.
The Prime Minister asked the local administration and local people to keep their respective localities and areas protected so that no outsider can suddenly go there.
She urged the people of the country to be very careful over the novel coronavirus and follow the regular government’s directives as this virus is highly contagious.
Later, the Prime Minister exchanged views with the government officials and local representatives and the people of Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Meherpur, Bhola, Satkhira, Patuakhali, Jhenidah, Magura, Pirojpur, Kushtia, Jashore, Narial, Barishal and Khulna.
During the views-exchange, Hasina warned that if anyone engages in corruption over the relief distribution during this disaster will not be spared.
“If anyone commits corruption in relief items what we’re providing, it would be unpardonable and we’ll not pardon also,” she said.
The Prime Minister greeted the Christian community on the occasion of the Easter Sunday and asked them to gather in their churches.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the videoconferencing.
On April 7 last, the Prime Minister held a videoconference with government officials from 15 districts under Chittagong and Sylhet divisions to discuss the present COVID-19 there.
