In a strategic move to boost national seed self-sufficiency and enhance export potential, the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated an ambitious project titled “Enhancing Seed Production Capacity for Rice, Wheat and Maize Improved Seed Production and Development Phase Three.”
With an allocated budget of BDT 474.67 crore (approximately USD 39.17 million), the project was approved at the National Economic Council’s Executive Committee (ECNEC) meeting on February 2 and will be implemented by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) until December 2028.
The initiative aims to produce high-quality seeds using advanced technologies and modern production techniques.
By focusing on rice, wheat, and maize seeds, the project seeks to not only meet the increasing domestic demand driven by a growing population and shrinking agricultural land but also to establish Bangladesh as an exporter of quality seeds.
“We must produce seeds in such a way that foreigners would purchase them from us. Our country has made significant progress in agricultural research, and now we must excel in seed production as well.
This project will help establish our own seed reserve,” explained Planning Advisor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud after the ECNEC meeting.
He also emphasized the need to align seed production capacity with international standards, particularly noting the importance of keeping pace with countries like China.
Under the project, an estimated 136,000 tonnes of rice, wheat, and maize seeds will be produced, stored, and distributed through contract farming arrangements with trained and contract farmers across the country.
In addition, 1,200 tonnes of hybrid maize seeds will be procured. The initiative also includes critical infrastructure development such as the construction of loading and unloading sheds, paved roads, wide herringbone roads, and drainage systems to facilitate seamless operations and maintain seed purity.
To ensure strict quality control and efficient management, the project will procure and distribute a range of modern agricultural machinery and equipment.
Among these are cleaner comb grader machines, digital weighing scales, moisture meters, purity boards, digital seed counters, seed dividers, and fumigation sheets.
Transportation infrastructure will be strengthened by acquiring a jeep, a double-cabin pickup, six trucks (with capacities between 5–7 tons), six additional trucks (with capacities between 10–12 tons), 16 motorcycles (125 cc), and 12 bicycles to support the logistics of seed distribution.
BADC’s project proposal highlights that, with the pressures of a rising population and diminishing agricultural land, increasing yield per acre is essential.
Providing farmers with high-quality seeds is viewed as the most effective way to boost productivity. This initiative is expected to not only elevate crop yields but also generate employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and reinforce national food security.
The Planning Commission has noted that the adoption of quality seeds will likely result in enhanced crop production at the farm level, thereby contributing to employment generation, poverty alleviation, and overall food security.
Dr. Mohammad Nayamatullah Bhuiya, Senior Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions, underscored the pivotal role of seeds in agricultural output.
“The demand for high-quality seeds is growing day by day. Only by using quality seeds can we significantly boost crop production. This project is instrumental in securing food security and socio-economic development in our country,” he stated.
The project, set to be executed in 14 upazilas across four districts in three divisions, forms part of a broader government strategy to modernize and strengthen the seed production and distribution system.
With its robust framework and forward-looking infrastructure investments, the initiative is poised to play a critical role in meeting Bangladesh’s evolving food requirements and establishing the nation as a competitive player in the international seed market.
