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Tackling coronavirus: PM announces Tk5,000cr package for Bangladesh's agriculture sector
Mehedi Al Amin
File photo of farmers harvesting crops Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
Relief plunderers wouldn’t be spared, she warns
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced to create a fund of Tk5000 crore for the agriculture sector to boost crop production to overcome the possible coronavirus impact.
Stressing on the continuation of food production during the coronavirus outbreak, she said that crop, flower, fruit, fish, dairy, and poultry farmers will be able to get loan from this fund.
“We’re going to undertake a new scheme of Taka 5,000 crore with maximum 5% interest rate to help small and medium level farmers to raise food production,” she told a video conferencing with public representatives and officials in Khulna and Barishal divisions, yesterday.
She said Bangladesh Bank would formulate the refinancing scheme of Tk5,000 crore to be disbursed as current capital in the agriculture sector.
“The rural small and medium farmers will get the loan from the fund and they can use the money in producing agriculture, flower, fruits, fish, poultry etc,” she told the conference from her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina simultaneously announced allocation of an increased amount of Tk9,000 crore as a subsidy to fertiliser in the next budget as part of government strategy to minimize impact of the deadly virus on economy enhancing yield.
The prime minister warned that an acute food crisis may arise due to the coronavirus outbreak, however, she is optimistic about managing the situation.
“We have fertile soil and will have a surplus if we can produce accordingly. The surplus can be used to help other countries or exported even,” she added.
The prime minister also discussed other incentives for the agriculture sector.
“Tk100 crore has been allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for mechanization of the sector. Another Tk150 crore will be allocated for the farmers to buy seeds,” said Sheikh Hasina.
“The sector will receive Tk9000 crore as subsidy in the next fiscal year’s budget,” she added.
The prime minister also declared an allocation of Tk200 crore for harvesting and mechanisation of agriculture.
Sheikh Hasina on April 5 declared an allocation of Tk72,750 crore under a set of stimulus packages to overcome the possible Covid-19 impact on the country’s economy.
On March 25, she announced a Tk5,000 crore package for paying wages and allowances of workers and employees of the export-oriented industries.
‘Relief plunderers won’t be spared’
Sheikh Hasina also said the plunderers of relief goods meant for mitigating the needy people’s hardship arising out of the coronavirus outbreak would not be spared.
“So far, a few reports have surfaced regarding arrests of some people for misappropriating relief goods. I hope everyone involved in these misdeeds would be arrested. No mercy would be shown to them. If necessary, immediate punishment would be given to them through mobile courts,” she said.
The prime minister said: “We are trying our best to help all, including wage earners, day labourers, small traders and the people who couldn’t seek relief due to their social dignity, by reaching foods to their doorsteps as they are passing their days in hardship as they have no works due to the shutdown in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.”
‘Cultivate every piece of land’
Earlier in the conference, she urged all citizens to cultivate every piece of land.
The prime minister said: “We do not have any scarcity of food. We have enough to feed the whole nation. Everyone who owns even a piece of land, should cultivate it.
“We have ordered law enforcers not to limit or restrict the movement of those who are working on fields,” she added.
The prime minister has urged the district administration to allow haat-bazaars (local markets) to set at least once a week, so the agriculture products are bought and sold, however, social distancing should be maintained at all times.
“Carry out the normal activities but always keep distance from each other,” she added.
The premier asked all to take effective measures to ensure normalcy in the transportation of goods and crops. She also asked to take measures for ensuring transportation of agricultural workers as the season of paddy harvesting has started.
She instructed the local administration to ensure marketing and diversified use of milk.
She also asked the district administration to take effective measures in preserving shrimp and lobster in a proper manner as those could be exported later as the world is now being rattled by the lethal virus.
‘Govt to procure more rice this year’
The prime minister said the government will purchase an additional 200,000 tons of rice during upcoming Boro season compared to the previous year.
"Boro harvesting will begin in a few days. I have ordered procurement of more rice this year from the cultivators so that they can get fair price," she said.
"We have to keep continuing our agricultural work. We have to ensure food security.”
DCs told to make list of homeless people
The prime minister on Sunday again ordered the deputy commissioners (DC) to make the list of homeless people again, so the government can provide them with a home during the coronavirus outbreak.
“You will make the list of the homeless people in your districts and we will provide them with homes,” the premier ordered the deputy commissioners.
No crowding on Pohela Boishakh, Mujibnagar Day
She also directed countrymen to celebrate Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, with their family at home.
"Celebrate the Bengali New Year with your family members at home. Do not go outside. All outdoor programs scheduled to celebrate the day have been cancelled. No one will create any gatherings on that day," the prime minister said.
She said: "Keep your own locality safe and don’t allow outsiders to enter. Moreover, don’t be outside without any reason. We don’t know who is carrying the virus.”
The prime minister urged people to postpone their plans to visit their relatives until the coronavirus situation improves.
“We shut down everything when it was necessary. Educational institutions were closed earlier. Because of this, businesses are suffering. We are providing incentives to help them.
"We declared a countrywide holiday to save the lives of the people,” she added.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangla...nce-with-district-officials-of-khulna-barisal
Mehedi Al Amin
- Published at 10:22 am April 12th, 2020
File photo of farmers harvesting crops Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
Relief plunderers wouldn’t be spared, she warns
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced to create a fund of Tk5000 crore for the agriculture sector to boost crop production to overcome the possible coronavirus impact.
Stressing on the continuation of food production during the coronavirus outbreak, she said that crop, flower, fruit, fish, dairy, and poultry farmers will be able to get loan from this fund.
“We’re going to undertake a new scheme of Taka 5,000 crore with maximum 5% interest rate to help small and medium level farmers to raise food production,” she told a video conferencing with public representatives and officials in Khulna and Barishal divisions, yesterday.
She said Bangladesh Bank would formulate the refinancing scheme of Tk5,000 crore to be disbursed as current capital in the agriculture sector.
“The rural small and medium farmers will get the loan from the fund and they can use the money in producing agriculture, flower, fruits, fish, poultry etc,” she told the conference from her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina simultaneously announced allocation of an increased amount of Tk9,000 crore as a subsidy to fertiliser in the next budget as part of government strategy to minimize impact of the deadly virus on economy enhancing yield.
The prime minister warned that an acute food crisis may arise due to the coronavirus outbreak, however, she is optimistic about managing the situation.
“We have fertile soil and will have a surplus if we can produce accordingly. The surplus can be used to help other countries or exported even,” she added.
The prime minister also discussed other incentives for the agriculture sector.
“Tk100 crore has been allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for mechanization of the sector. Another Tk150 crore will be allocated for the farmers to buy seeds,” said Sheikh Hasina.
“The sector will receive Tk9000 crore as subsidy in the next fiscal year’s budget,” she added.
The prime minister also declared an allocation of Tk200 crore for harvesting and mechanisation of agriculture.
Sheikh Hasina on April 5 declared an allocation of Tk72,750 crore under a set of stimulus packages to overcome the possible Covid-19 impact on the country’s economy.
On March 25, she announced a Tk5,000 crore package for paying wages and allowances of workers and employees of the export-oriented industries.
‘Relief plunderers won’t be spared’
Sheikh Hasina also said the plunderers of relief goods meant for mitigating the needy people’s hardship arising out of the coronavirus outbreak would not be spared.
“So far, a few reports have surfaced regarding arrests of some people for misappropriating relief goods. I hope everyone involved in these misdeeds would be arrested. No mercy would be shown to them. If necessary, immediate punishment would be given to them through mobile courts,” she said.
The prime minister said: “We are trying our best to help all, including wage earners, day labourers, small traders and the people who couldn’t seek relief due to their social dignity, by reaching foods to their doorsteps as they are passing their days in hardship as they have no works due to the shutdown in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.”
‘Cultivate every piece of land’
Earlier in the conference, she urged all citizens to cultivate every piece of land.
The prime minister said: “We do not have any scarcity of food. We have enough to feed the whole nation. Everyone who owns even a piece of land, should cultivate it.
“We have ordered law enforcers not to limit or restrict the movement of those who are working on fields,” she added.
The prime minister has urged the district administration to allow haat-bazaars (local markets) to set at least once a week, so the agriculture products are bought and sold, however, social distancing should be maintained at all times.
“Carry out the normal activities but always keep distance from each other,” she added.
The premier asked all to take effective measures to ensure normalcy in the transportation of goods and crops. She also asked to take measures for ensuring transportation of agricultural workers as the season of paddy harvesting has started.
She instructed the local administration to ensure marketing and diversified use of milk.
She also asked the district administration to take effective measures in preserving shrimp and lobster in a proper manner as those could be exported later as the world is now being rattled by the lethal virus.
‘Govt to procure more rice this year’
The prime minister said the government will purchase an additional 200,000 tons of rice during upcoming Boro season compared to the previous year.
"Boro harvesting will begin in a few days. I have ordered procurement of more rice this year from the cultivators so that they can get fair price," she said.
"We have to keep continuing our agricultural work. We have to ensure food security.”
DCs told to make list of homeless people
The prime minister on Sunday again ordered the deputy commissioners (DC) to make the list of homeless people again, so the government can provide them with a home during the coronavirus outbreak.
“You will make the list of the homeless people in your districts and we will provide them with homes,” the premier ordered the deputy commissioners.
No crowding on Pohela Boishakh, Mujibnagar Day
She also directed countrymen to celebrate Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, with their family at home.
"Celebrate the Bengali New Year with your family members at home. Do not go outside. All outdoor programs scheduled to celebrate the day have been cancelled. No one will create any gatherings on that day," the prime minister said.
She said: "Keep your own locality safe and don’t allow outsiders to enter. Moreover, don’t be outside without any reason. We don’t know who is carrying the virus.”
The prime minister urged people to postpone their plans to visit their relatives until the coronavirus situation improves.
“We shut down everything when it was necessary. Educational institutions were closed earlier. Because of this, businesses are suffering. We are providing incentives to help them.
"We declared a countrywide holiday to save the lives of the people,” she added.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangla...nce-with-district-officials-of-khulna-barisal
