Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday proposed to allocate Taka 17,000 crore as subsidy in agriculture sector aiming at meeting expenditure of fertilizer and other agricultural incentives.
The finance adviser propose this allocation while presenting the national budget for 2025-‘26 financial year in a pre-recorded broadcast on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Beter.
“To meet the expenditure of fertilizer and other agricultural incentives Taka 17000 crore was allocated in the vital agriculture sector in the upcoming national budget for 2024-25 fiscal year,” said the adviser in his budget speech.
He said subsidies for fertilizers and other agricultural inputs will be continued in the next fiscal year. In the current fiscal year, agricultural inputs and cash incentives have been provided under the 'Agricultural Rehabilitation Assistance’ program, he added.
“Small and marginal farmers affected by floods have also been provided assistance from this program,” he added.
In his 75-page budget speech, the finance adviser said the government has taken initiatives to rationalize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to protect biodiversity, maintain soil quality and keep the environment free from pollution.
In this connection, he said farmer groups and NGOs are also being involved in production, marketing and extension of organic fertilizers to increase the use of organic fertilizer.
The use of environment-friendly technologies is being promoted to prevent the wastage of water during irrigation, better use of surface water and sustainable use of ground water, he added.
