BSS, Rajshahi :
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has adopted a project to boost quality seed production to meet up its gradually rising demands for more agricultural outputs in the region.
Quality seed is the precondition to improve crop yield and taking the issue into active consideration the step has been taken to feed the country’s increasing population, said the officials concerned.
The proposed five-year project titled “Quality Seed Production, Distribution and Farmers Training” has been designed to be implemented in 25 Upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabgonj districts with an estimated cost of around Taka 16.77 crore.
Main thrust of the intervention is to increase production and distribution of quality seed in the project area.
Motivating the farmers through establishing demonstration plot for producing improved seed of both local and high yielding varieties of paddy, wheat, pulse and oil seed crops is the allied objective of the scheme.
It has provision of giving necessary training to the farmers and other staffs concerned so that they are encouraged to bring their lands under quality seed and other less-water consuming crops cultivation effectively.
ATM Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Manager (Agriculture) of BMDA, told BSS that target has been set to produce 3,000 metric tons of seed of paddy and some less-water consuming crops like wheat, pulse and oil-seed through the contract-growers.
Sharing his previous working experience he said the BMDA’s seed production activities have attained a significant success in terms of supplying quality paddy and some cereal crops seed to farmers. The seed is very popular in the region.
The project will facilitate technical advice and updated know-how including costs of requisite materials like seed, fertilizer and pesticide to the growers for production and preservation of seed.
Highlighting the importance of training and demonstration to this field he said around 27,500 farmers and 700 staffs will be brought under training in addition to establishment of 885 demonstration plots on farmers’ field.
“Besides, since launching the seed production activities we procure breeder seed from BRRI and take certificate from the Seed Certification Agency for producing quality seed,” Rafiqul Islam said adding that necessary steps were taken to avoid duplication.
As a whole, there should be a competitive atmosphere among the seed-distributing agencies for the sake of ensuring quality in seed.
Engineer Abdur Rashid, Executive Director of BMDA, said the BMDA is, at present, providing irrigation facilities to around 3.84 lakh hectares of land in Aman season and 7.42 lakh hectares of land in Boro season.
“To cultivate these lands in both the seasons, 43,645 tonnes of seeds are required every year,” he said.
The region scored significant progress in crop production following the expansion of irrigation facilities along with supplying water from the re-excavated canals and ponds.
For the sake of sustainable crop production alongside encouraging the farmers in crop farming, he said quality seed production should be enhanced at the farmers’ level.
“Actually, now we are facing a great trouble to face the farmers demand despite stockpiling huge seed among different other government and private level organizations concerned,” Engineer Rashid added.
If the proposed project were approved by the government as early as possible, he hoped that the existing deficit of quality seed could be reduced to a greater extent, which will help boosting rice production together with supplement the government’s endeavor to ensure food security of the nation.
Upon successful implementation by June, 2019, the project will contribute enormously to raise a production volume of around 3,000 metric tons of quality fine rice that will bolster the country’s export list, Engineer Rashid added.
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has adopted a project to boost quality seed production to meet up its gradually rising demands for more agricultural outputs in the region.
Quality seed is the precondition to improve crop yield and taking the issue into active consideration the step has been taken to feed the country’s increasing population, said the officials concerned.
The proposed five-year project titled “Quality Seed Production, Distribution and Farmers Training” has been designed to be implemented in 25 Upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabgonj districts with an estimated cost of around Taka 16.77 crore.
Main thrust of the intervention is to increase production and distribution of quality seed in the project area.
Motivating the farmers through establishing demonstration plot for producing improved seed of both local and high yielding varieties of paddy, wheat, pulse and oil seed crops is the allied objective of the scheme.
It has provision of giving necessary training to the farmers and other staffs concerned so that they are encouraged to bring their lands under quality seed and other less-water consuming crops cultivation effectively.
ATM Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Manager (Agriculture) of BMDA, told BSS that target has been set to produce 3,000 metric tons of seed of paddy and some less-water consuming crops like wheat, pulse and oil-seed through the contract-growers.
Sharing his previous working experience he said the BMDA’s seed production activities have attained a significant success in terms of supplying quality paddy and some cereal crops seed to farmers. The seed is very popular in the region.
The project will facilitate technical advice and updated know-how including costs of requisite materials like seed, fertilizer and pesticide to the growers for production and preservation of seed.
Highlighting the importance of training and demonstration to this field he said around 27,500 farmers and 700 staffs will be brought under training in addition to establishment of 885 demonstration plots on farmers’ field.
“Besides, since launching the seed production activities we procure breeder seed from BRRI and take certificate from the Seed Certification Agency for producing quality seed,” Rafiqul Islam said adding that necessary steps were taken to avoid duplication.
As a whole, there should be a competitive atmosphere among the seed-distributing agencies for the sake of ensuring quality in seed.
Engineer Abdur Rashid, Executive Director of BMDA, said the BMDA is, at present, providing irrigation facilities to around 3.84 lakh hectares of land in Aman season and 7.42 lakh hectares of land in Boro season.
“To cultivate these lands in both the seasons, 43,645 tonnes of seeds are required every year,” he said.
The region scored significant progress in crop production following the expansion of irrigation facilities along with supplying water from the re-excavated canals and ponds.
For the sake of sustainable crop production alongside encouraging the farmers in crop farming, he said quality seed production should be enhanced at the farmers’ level.
“Actually, now we are facing a great trouble to face the farmers demand despite stockpiling huge seed among different other government and private level organizations concerned,” Engineer Rashid added.
If the proposed project were approved by the government as early as possible, he hoped that the existing deficit of quality seed could be reduced to a greater extent, which will help boosting rice production together with supplement the government’s endeavor to ensure food security of the nation.
Upon successful implementation by June, 2019, the project will contribute enormously to raise a production volume of around 3,000 metric tons of quality fine rice that will bolster the country’s export list, Engineer Rashid added.
