A significant lack of quality seeds is contributing to a reduction in crop production by up to 20 percent in Bangladesh. Currently, 50 percent of the seeds used in the country are supplied by various government and private institutions, while the remaining 50 percent are saved by the farmers themselves.
However, these saved seeds often have defects, which negatively impact crop yields.
Speakers suggest that ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds through proper seed conservation training for farmers could boost crop production by 10 percent. Improved seeds could play a critical role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in the country.
They made this call at a workshop titled “PKSF’s initiatives to meet the demand for quality seeds’ held at PKSF Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday.
To ensure food and nutrition security of the people of Bangladesh, crop production should be increased by increasing quality seed production.
Adviser of Bangladesh Seed Association Anwar Faruque was present as the chief guest at the workshop. Managing Director of PKSF Nomita Halder presided over the meeting.
Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir and Member Director (Seed and Horticulture) of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) Md Mostafizur Rahman were special guests of the program.
Deputy Managing Director of PKSF Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed gave the welcome speech at the workshop. Deputy General Manager of PKSF Tanvir Sultana gave a presentation on the activities of the Integrated Agriculture Unit. Dr Md Abdul Malek presented on PKSF’s initiatives to meet the demand for quality seeds in the workshop.
Speakers in the event said that the supply of quality seeds is a must for increasing the country's agricultural production and ensuring food security.
According to the sources of the Ministry of Agriculture, the total demand for seeds of various crops in the year 2022-23 was 12,10,351 tonnes, but the amount of seeds produced by BADC, DAE and BMDA and seeds produced and imported through private organizations is 3,61,264 tonnes, which is only 30 percent of the total domestic demand.
PKSF is helping farmers produce small-scale crop seeds (paddy, mustard, dal, onion etc) through its Integrated Agriculture Unit.
