PM unveils a fresh stimulus package of Tk 50 billion for agriculture

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced a new stimulus package of Tk 50 billion (5,000 crore) to provide financial assistance to small and medium farmers in rural areas for boosting agricultural production facing the fallout of Covid-19.

“Bangladesh Bank will formulate a new refinancing scheme of Tk 50 billion (5,000 crore) to pump running capital into the agricultural sector. We’ll create this Tk 50 billion stimulus package only for the agricultural sector. We’ll disburse money from this fund to farmers at only 5 per cent interest,” she said on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said this while delivering her introductory speech in a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban with government officials from 16 districts under Khulna and Barishal divisions, UNB reported.

The money from this fund will be disbursed among small and medium farmers, including that of poultry and dairy sector, in rural areas, she said.

On April 7 last, the Prime Minister held a videoconference with government officials from 15 districts under Chittagong and Sylhet divisions to discuss the present COVID-19 there.