By Sanjida Sultana

The Krishok Card (Smart Krishak Card) is a flagship digital initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh, designed to create a comprehensive national database of farmers and deliver agricultural services in a transparent, efficient, and fully digitized manner. Functioning as a specialized digital identity card, it integrates key farmer information—such as land ownership, crop type, and soil health—into a secure, QR-based system.

The primary objective of the program is to ensure that government benefits, including subsidies, seeds, fertilizers, and financial incentives, are transferred directly to farmers without intermediaries. It also facilitates easier access to agricultural loans, climate and market information, insurance services, and expert advisory support, thereby strengthening the overall agricultural ecosystem.

Targeting all categories of farmers—from landless and marginal to large-scale producers—the initiative promotes inclusive social protection and financial inclusion. Registration requires basic information such as NID, mobile number, photograph, and land details, and can be completed through agricultural officers or an online portal.

Currently in its pre-pilot phase, the program has already been launched in selected regions, reaching over 22,000 farmers with direct financial transfers. With a phased implementation plan, the Krishok Card initiative aims to expand nationwide within the next four years, ensuring comprehensive coverage and long-term support for Bangladesh’s farming community.