The government plans to bring 43 lakh farmers under its Farmer Card programme this year, with more than 100,000 set to receive cash for agricultural inputs on Thursday.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced the target Wednesday in Fulgazi, Feni, ahead of the formal launch of the programme's expanded pilot phase.

Of 110,165 farmers being brought under the first phase, 100,047 will receive 2,500 taka each for agricultural inputs from October 1, the minister said.

Another 7,643 farmers in Feni will receive printed Farmer Cards.

The programme will initially cover 77 upazilas in 56 districts. Thirteen upazilas will be connected directly to Thursday's launch, with another 64 participating.

Around 18 lakh farmers' information has already been collected nationwide, according to Agriculture Ministry data cited in local media.

The programme is intended to build something Bangladesh has long lacked: a centralised digital registry capable of identifying farmers and directing subsidies and other state support to intended recipients.

The cards are designed as QR-based digital identities containing information including farmers' landholding and agricultural activities. The system is ultimately intended to provide access to subsidies, seeds and fertiliser as well as agricultural credit, insurance, market information and advisory services.

The government launched the pre-pilot programme on April 14 across 11 upazilas in 10 districts. More than 22,000 farmers were registered in that phase, with most receiving 2,500 taka in assistance.

The scheme covers farmers across landholding categories, from landless and marginal farmers to large producers.

Amin said the government aims to distribute cards and input assistance to 43 lakh farmers by the end of the year and bring all farmers under the system within two-and-a-half to three years.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had earlier instructed officials to complete a verified farmer database by December. The government has said the database will record identity, production and government assistance, among other information.

Thursday's Feni programme will also include the government's Family Card programme and honorariums for imams, Hindu priests and representatives of other religious places of worship.

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