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Transforming Seed Industry in Bangladesh: Hope for Farmers Asadul Amin Dadan I General Secretary, BSA I ashadulamin@yahoo.com
Seed is a living tissue and therefore, differs from any other agricultural inputs. It carries genetic potential and serves as a vehicle of transformation. It needs very careful handling both in process of production as well as handling thereafter to ensure preservation of its genetic composition and other important quality aspects like vigor and germination.
The economy of Bangladesh depends largely on the agricultural sector and seed is the basic input of agriculture. Historically, farmers mostly used their self-saved seeds. The seed policy paved the way of private seed sector in seed production and also resulted in several donor driven government projects for the industry. Gradually private sector entered into plant breeding and variety development program. The emergence of the private sector has allowed for the increased ability of the seed sector to cater for the increasing demand for quality seed.
To improve the situation further, methodical development in the following area is essential.
■ A favorable seed policy and legal framework needs to be developed to allow private sector to contribute more in quality seed supply to the formers
• Private sector should be supported with required financing to build necessary Infrastructure Including PD5, production, processing and storage facility
• Recognize seed Industry as a priority sector for investment and development
• Create a healthy competitive environment among the industry players including public and private sector
• Provide training and capacity building support to industry players on modem seed technology
• Establish access to appropriate media to communicate knowledge and information related to new technology
• Establish infrastructure and system to ensure quality assurance at all levels of seed commercialization value chain ■ Foster innovation and technology in variety development appropriate for local ecological condition of the country through incentive and support to research works in private and public sector
• Promote Public Private Partnership (PPP) in research and development, infrastructure development, production of hybrid seed, transfer of biotechnology and exchange of germplasm
• Appropriate workable provisions should be made for access to finance for the participators in seed industry Seed sector has evolved over time and created opportunities for formers, public sector and private sector. In spite of many obstacles, the sector has emerged as a potential industry attracting more initiatives for development. As a very sensitive and one of the most vital agricultural inputs, seed sector need to be maintained through policy and legal framework, necessary infrastructure, recognition for investment and development, healthy competitive environment, capacity building, communication, innovation, quality assurance, Public Private Partnership (PPP), and access to finance. Of course these are the scopes of immediate improvement for sustainable transformation in this sector. We have to acknowledge and spread the mutual benefits of quality seeds among farmers and other sector stakeholders. It will certainly ensure the growth of industry resulting in improved income for formers, national economy and increased food security. Finally to create hope for farmers, we have to find a balanced seed system through cooperation between public and private sector focusing on the benefits of formers.