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SANGSAD BHABAN, April 6, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today informed the parliament that the government has taken initiatives to support farmers by waiving small agricultural loans and continuing low-interest agricultural credit facilities.

The Finance Minister revealed this in reply to a starred question from ruling party MP Md. Mosharraf Hossain (Bogura-4) in the House today.

He said that the government has not taken any step to provide interest-free loans to farmers. However, a decision has been taken to waive agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 including interest.

Khosru said the government has already allocated Tk 1,567.96 crore in the budget to implement the decision, which will benefit around 13,17,500 farmers across the country.

The minister also highlighted several ongoing support measures for farmers:
The Bangladesh Bank, through its annual Agricultural and Rural Credit Policy and Programme, is providing agricultural and rural loans on easy terms and at comparatively low interest rates. 

For the fiscal year 2025-26, a target of Tk 39,000 crore has been set for agricultural and rural credit disbursement by banks.

He said Bangladesh Bank formed a special refinance scheme of Tk 1,000 crore on August 25, 2022, to increase wheat and maize production. The scheme will remain valid until June 30, 2027, and farmers are receiving loans under the scheme at a 4 percent interest rate.

In addition, loans are being provided at a concessional interest rate of 4 percent for import-substitute crops such as pulses, oilseeds, maize and spices, with the government providing interest subsidies to banks through Bangladesh Bank.

The measures are aimed at strengthening agricultural production and ensuring financial support for farmers across the country.