A private-sector seed development bill was introduced in Parliament yesterday aiming to ensure availability of adequate seeds for farming, reports UNB.

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury tabled the Seeds (Amendment) Bill 1997 in the House which proposed certain changes in the Seed Ordinance 1977.

The proposed changes in the Ordinance would help the private sector develop their seed industry to ensure quality seeds at the farmers' level at fair price in light of the National Seed Policy.

As per the proposed amendments. the government may specify the standard regarding the germination percentage, purity percentage, moisture content and such other components of seed quality with respect to any seed of any notified kind or variety.

The government may also specify the mark or label to indicate that such seed conforms to the standard and the particulars which such mark or label may contain.

The Ball also proposed that no unregistered seed dealer should carry on the business of selling, keeping for sale, offering to sell, bartering or otherwise supplying any seed of any notified kind or variety.

BNP lawmaker Major (retd) Akhteruzzaman raised objection against the introduction of the Bill, saying there is no need of such a Bill and it is only designed to favour some people.

He said the Bill proposed enhancement of the members of Seed Board to 25 from the existing 15. and the objective of such move is politicisation. The farmers would not get quality and adequate seed at fair price by only making the board topheavy. he said.