BSS, Sangsad Bhaban :
Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury Thursday said the government has allocated Taka 5.75 crore to increase agricultural input assistance cards for farmers to 2.30 crore across the country.
“The distribution of agricultural input assistance cards to farmers is going on, and so far 1,44,87,137 cards have been distributed among the farmers,” she said while replying to a question from treasury bench member Mahfuzur Rahman in parliament.
The minister said some 98,54,606 farmers opened bank accounts with Taka 10 at the state-run commercial and specialized banks aimed at getting hassle-free services.
Besides, she said, the government has allocated Taka 30.68 crore in 2014-2015 fiscal year against the programmed for free distribution of seeds and fertilizers among marginal and small farmers.
“The government has already distributed seeds and fertilizers to 2,44,600 small and marginal farmers,” Matia added.
She informed the House that the government provided Taka 8,967.76 crore as subsidy on fertilizer and electricity bill for the irrigation till June from January 5, 2014.
Meanwhile, the government gave Taka 35,359.35 crore as subsidy for the same purpose from 2009 to 2013. The minister further said the government has also distributed seeds and fertilizers to 1,01,722 farmers free of cost under agriculture rehabilitation and stimulus package.
“The government has allocated Taka 9.99 crore in 2014-15 fiscal year to further strengthen the programme,” she said.
