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Seminar stresses intensive research on hybrid farming practices

Star Business Report
The government should look and learn from local farmers to know whether they want to go for the hybrid seed variety instead of following 'prescriptions' from donor agencies, said the president of Bangladesh Economic Association yesterday.
"The local farmers know exactly which seeds are more productive and do less damage to the environment. So the government should take advice from farmers and researchers," said Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad.
"The donor agencies that contribute less than two percent to our GDP have always prescribe the hybrid variety, with no consideration for the local climate," he said. "The government needs to pinpoint problems in different sectors and formulate policies regarding agriculture and food on the basis of local need."
Ahmad was speaking at a prebudget discussion on "Demand Priorities on Agriculture, Food Security and Public Services", organised by SUPRO, a nongovernmental organisation that campaigns for good governance, at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
"Hybrid seeds enhance production, but at the same time some hybrid seeds cause environmental degradation like a decline in soil
fertility and destruction of other local variety of seeds," he said. "So it is best we follow our own instincts and knowledge, rather than that of the donors."
He said the government should carry out intensive research on hybrid farming practices and formulate policies accordingly, which would take into consideration the type of land, crop variety and irrigation.
"Hybrid cultivation would bene-
fit us with a higher production of food grains that would help ensure food security,” said Ahmad. "At the same time, the government needs to prioritise the use of locally produced hybrid seeds that are produced by our farmers and researchers."
The economist also pointed out that government subsidy on the procurement of food grains, including rice and paddy, often does not benefit the farmers, as
most middlemen unduly absorb the benefits.
"The government should ensure transparency in food procurement, so that no middleman or syndicate can take advantage by depriving farmers or creating an artificial crisis in market," he said.
"The government should form monitoring committees in every upazila to oversee food procurement,” added Ahmad.
In his keynote paper, Lawrence Beshra, research director of SUPRO, said people from all segments of the country, including farmers, industrial labour, women and indigenous people, should participate in the budget formulation process, to ensure good governance.
He said the government should increase budgetary allocations for the agricultural sector and ensure access to better seeds, fertilizer, electricity and diesel for the farmers, to ensure food security.
"The government also needs to implement the Land Reforms Act of 1984 and ensure that agricultural lands are not used for industrial purposes, home building or market places," said Beshra.
Fie also urged the government to ensure sustainable power crisis solutions.
M Farashuddin Ahmed, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, and Abdul Awal, chairman of Supro, were also present at the discussion.