Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed relevant authorities to compile a complete and verified database of farmers nationwide by December through a transparent verification process to guarantee that state support reaches actual producers.

The directive was issued during a meeting regarding the Farmers’ Card initiative held in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed officials to ensure the new Farmers’ Card features the holder's photograph and a QR code, alongside details regarding the individual's identity, crop production, state assistance, and market-related services.

He instructed those involved to incorporate these criteria directly into the design of the card.

Officials present at the briefing stated that the process of opening bank accounts for farmers is already underway.

They added that distribution of the cards will take place in phases once foundational preparations are finalized.

The Farmers’ Card project was launched to streamline the distribution of agricultural subsidies, low-interest loans, incentives, and government aid directly to actual farmers with speed and efficiency.

In the current fiscal year, approximately 43 lakh farmers are scheduled to obtain the card.

Over the next three years, the government aims to expand the initiative to cover nearly two crore farmers nationwide.

The meeting was attended by Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Amin Ur Rashid, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, BNP Special Secretary Belayet Hossain, and Bangladesh Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited President SM Amir Hamza Shatil, along with secretaries from relevant ministries and senior administrative officials.