Bangladesh Bank Prioritises Loans for Smart Card Farmers and Flood-Affected Growers

Bangladesh Bank has instructed all scheduled banks to prioritise loan disbursement for marginal and landless farmers holding Smart Farmer Cards, as well as farmers affected by recent excessive rainfall and crop losses.

The directive was issued through a circular by the Financial Inclusion Department (FID) of Bangladesh Bank and sent to managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks.

According to the circular, the move aims to make agricultural financing more accessible and effective under the refinancing scheme designed for marginal and landless farmers, low-income professionals, school banking account holders, and small entrepreneurs.

Under the new guidelines, banks have been asked to facilitate Tk 10 bank accounts and provide loans on a priority basis to Smart Farmer Card holders in line with the “Smart Farmer Card Policy-2025” formulated by the Department of Agricultural Extension.

At the same time, the central bank emphasised that farmers who do not possess Smart Farmer Cards should not be excluded from receiving financial support under the refinancing programme.

The circular also highlights the need to extend priority credit assistance to farmers who suffered crop damage due to recent excessive rainfall, particularly in haor regions where mature paddy fields and other crops have been severely affected.

Farmers from haor areas in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona and Mymensingh, along with affected marginal and landless farmers in other parts of the country, will receive priority consideration for agricultural loans.

Bangladesh Bank noted that all previous instructions and provisions related to the refinancing scheme will remain in effect alongside the newly issued directives.