Our peasant society is the craftsman of Bengal's eternal form. The 'card' culture that has infiltrated modern civilization with the aim of changing the fate of the people of this land is rooted in bringing people into a specific framework. The foundation stone of our economy is laid on the soil wet with the sweat of the marginal farmers of Bengal, surrounded by greenery. In the words of poet Jibanananda Das, "I have seen the face of Bengal, so I do not go looking for the form of the world anymore." A new horizon is going to be opened with the touch of technology in the improvement of the fate of the farmers of that beautiful Bengal. On the auspicious occasion of Pohela Baishakh, the dream 'Farmer Card' is going to be in the hands of the farmers, which will take them a step forward on the ladder of modernity.
The general concept of the card was originally born in the early twentieth century to facilitate commercial transactions. Although the first credit card was introduced in the United States by Diners Club in the 1950s, its specialized use in the agricultural sector began much later. Initially, a card meant only plastic currency, but now it is a powerful means of digital database and financial security. The idea of a farmer's card has mainly emerged from the aim of facilitating the identity of farmers and their access to agricultural inputs. Looking at the history of the farmer's card, it can be seen that although the initial discussion of special credit facilities for farmers started in the United States in 1958, India's 'Kisan Credit Card' (KCC) in South Asia started a revolution in 1998. It was basically a means for farmers to easily get loans from banks. Historically, farmers were being crushed by the high interest rates of moneylenders, from which this card system was introduced to free them. This long journey from the ancient barter system to today's digital card is a glorious history of restoring the dignity of farmers.
The evolution of the farmer's card is very fascinating; It was once just a paper ID card, which later evolved into a magnetic stripe card and now a sophisticated chip-equipped 'smart card'. Today, it is not just a means of borrowing, but an integrated digital platform for government subsidies, insurance benefits and agricultural advice. Modern data science and blockchain technology have been added to each step of this evolution, ensuring transparency in farmer transactions. In this section of the article, a brief history of the farmer card in the context of some countries of the world is discussed below:The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) was launched in India in 1998. The positive aspect is that it is helpful in direct bank loans and agricultural investment. The negative aspects are the hassle of complex paperwork and the illiteracy of marginal farmers. In Pakistan, the 'Kisan Card' project was launched in 2015. It is successful in providing subsidies on fertilizers and seeds. However, its effectiveness in remote areas is low due to lack of technological infrastructure. In Nepal, the farmer identity card is issued as part of agricultural and land reforms. Although it speeds up government services, there are allegations of political nepotism in the distribution of cards.
In Sri Lanka, the importance of the card system increased during the fertilizer import crisis to help farmers. Although its benefits are direct, it sometimes becomes ineffective due to economic instability. In Bhutan, special assistance is provided through cards to make agriculture organic. Although it is helpful in protecting the environment, it risks limiting the scope of production. China has created a database of farmers through digital technology. It provides quick access to market price information, but there are questions about strict government surveillance and the confidentiality of personal information. Brazil provides low-interest loans to small farmers through the 'Pronaf' card. This has reduced inequality, but farmers face great financial risks if they fail to pay the loan installments. In Kenya, fertilizer is distributed through an e-voucher system based on 'M-Pesa'. Although it is successful in preventing corruption, farmers are in trouble in areas without internet connectivity. In the United States, subsidies are provided to farmers through direct payment cards. It is very transparent, but it is mainly the large farmers who benefit the most. In Australia, technology-based cards contain information on crop insurance and drought assistance. The positive is its speed, the negative is the high fee.
In Indonesia, special cards are used to receive subsidies. This has reduced logistics costs, but many times the database does not contain accurate information, leaving real farmers deprived. In Thailand, smart cards set a farmer's loan limit. Although this has contributed to agricultural modernization, it has increased the number of indebted farmers. In Vietnam, special technology cards are common for rice farmers. This has helped increase exports but has increased over-reliance on chemical fertilizers. In the Netherlands, blockchain-based supply chain cards are used. It ensures product quality, but its technology is difficult for ordinary farmers to manage.
In France, there is a card system under the Common Agricultural Policy. It improves farmers' incomes, but delays and bureaucracy have negative effects.
Mexico provides direct financial assistance through the 'Proca Campo' card. This has helped the rural poor but is often used for political purposes.
Turkey subsidizes diesel and fertilizer through the Agri-Bank card. This helps increase production but the amount of benefit is often reduced due to inflation.
In Ethiopia, agricultural advice and loans are provided through mobile cards. This increases the capacity of marginal farmers, but weak infrastructure is a major obstacle.
In Argentina, special credit facilities are available for soybean farmers on the card. Although it is helpful in earning foreign exchange, it forces farmers to cultivate a single crop. In Germany, environmentally friendly farming is encouraged through the Digital Agriculture Card. Although it is highly technological and reliable, the conditions for obtaining the card are very strict.
In Bangladesh, the idea of a farmer card was initially limited to a list of subsidy recipients, but now it is going to take the form of a full-fledged digital identity card. According to the plan for 2026, it is the main tool for modernizing the country's agriculture. The positive aspect is that through this, the violence of middlemen will be stopped and real farmers will receive direct government assistance using this card. However, the negative aspect is the digital divide or the ignorance of ordinary farmers about the use of technology.
The newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, has made a historic announcement to distribute this card on Pahela Boishakh with the aim of revolutionary change in the country's agricultural sector. This 'Farmer Card' distribution program will be inaugurated on an experimental basis in 10 districts across the country in the festive atmosphere of Bengali New Year on April 14. The journey of this program will begin at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail Sadar Upazila, where the Prime Minister himself will present this prestigious card to the farmers. The plan of this new farmer card is to bring about 16.5 million farmers of the country under the smart card in the next four years. On the inaugural day, this card will be distributed among about 20,000 to 22,000 farmers in the initial phase. It is not just a plastic card, but it is a document of state recognition of farmers, which will take their identity and professional status to a unique height. This dream initiative of the Prime Minister is a grand plan to transform the agricultural economy into a smart Bangladesh.
The facilities of this farmer card introduced in Bangladesh are going to be multifaceted; it includes easy loans of up to 10,000 taka without collateral and an average of 2,500 taka cash assistance or material subsidy per year.
Cardholders will be able to procure fertilizers and seeds directly from dealers at fair prices and will get insurance benefits for crop damage in any natural disaster. In addition, through the digital platform, they will get weather forecast and crop market price information instantly, which will create a new era in agricultural business.
Handing over this card to the farmers means returning the key to their destiny to their own hands. In the words of the world poet Rabindranath Tagore, "Come back and pull the soil"-may this tide of technology not separate farmers from their roots but rather strengthen their bond with the soil. If this bold step of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is successful, every farming family in Bengal will dream of a prosperous and peaceful future. Our digital agricultural revolution will be successful with the sweet smell of the country's soil and the smiles of the farmers.
In conclusion, from the traditional scene of plows and oxen to today's smart card-holding farmers - may this transformation be the prosperous Bangladesh of our future. The farmer card is not just a piece of plastic, but it should become the dignity of the sweat of our hardworking people and the future of golden crops. Through the inauguration of this new farmer card, our farmers can move forward in line with the global market - this is our hope. The smile of the farmer means that Bangladesh will smile, and our first Boishakh this year will be colorful with that smile.
Author: Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Essayist, Spoken Writer and President of the International Anti-Drug Organization - Freedom International Anti-Alcohol. E-Mail Address: eddanwar@gmail.com
