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Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a new stimulus package of Tk5,000 crore for farmers. This step has been taken to improve agricultural production in the times of crisis.
Along with this, many other initiatives by the government have been launched for the agriculture sector.
The PM informed that the money from the fund will be given to th e small and medium-scale farmers, including those in the poultry and dairy sector, in rural areas, at five percent interest.
The announcement was made by Sheikh Hasina via a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban with government officials and public representatives from Khulna and Barishal divisions on April 12, 2020.
Hasina said the Bangladesh Bank would plan the refinancing scheme of the amount to be distributed as working capital in the agriculture sector.
“Small and medium-scale farmers in rural areas will get loans from the fund, and they can use the money to produce agricultural products, flowers, fruits, fish and poultry, to name a few.”
She said the government will also allocate Tk150 crore to distribute seeds among affected farmers so that agricultural production will continue.
“Our agricultural activities will have to be continue. The most important thing is ensuring food security.”
The prime minister said orders have already been given to the administration and to law enforcement agencies to permit the movement of people engaged in harvesting crops and facilitating the supply chain.
Hasina has asked concerned authorities to arrange a weekly haat (makeshift market) in an open field in every area by maintaining social distancing so that farmers can sell their produce.
