The BNPโs proposed โFarmer Cardโ program, which promises an annual support of Tk 2,500, has triggered fresh controversy. When broken down, the amount stands at around Tk 208 per monthโan amount many say is far too small to meet the real needs of farmers in the current economic climate.
Critics argue that at a time when the cost of fertilizer, seeds, irrigation, and labor continues to rise, such financial assistance offers no meaningful relief. Many observers and farmer representatives have described the initiative as a โmockeryโ of farmers rather than genuine support.
A farmer leader said, โThe cost of cultivating even a small piece of land is far higher. What problem can be solved with just a little over Tk 200 per month?โ
On the other hand, BNP leaders have defended the plan, calling it a preliminary support scheme that could be expanded in the future. According to them, the goal is to bring farmers under a structured assistance framework.
However, economists believe that meaningful support for farmers requires long-term policies, increased subsidies, and effective steps to reduce production costs. A limited cash allowance alone, they argue, cannot address the structural challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Overall, while the โFarmer Cardโ program has become a topic of political debate, questions remain about how much real impact it will have on farmersโ lives.
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