The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

The Seed Production Project under the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) is being implemented successfully to fulfil the deficit of quality paddy seed in the vast tract of Barind area.

Officials told BSS here today that the Taka 10.32 crore project titled "Quality Seed Production on Farmers Field" is being implemented in all the 25 upazilas of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts since July, 2006. The main objectives of the five-year project are to motivate farmers towards producing improved varieties of local and high yielding seeds and to train up 16,000 farmers and staffs on production, procurement, processing and preservation of quality seed.

Director General (Seed Wing) of the Ministry of Agriculture Anwar Faruque on Wednesday last saw for himself the seed production and processing activities in different areas of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts.

Expressing his satisfaction over the process of implementation of the project, he asked the officials concerned to expand its activities by raising the number of demonstration plots to produce more quality seeds, particularly of paddy, in the area.

Project Director Rafiqul Islam said that the BMDA is, at present, providing irrigation facilities to around 7.42 lakh hectares in Aman season and 3.84 lakh hectares in Boro season. "To cultivate these lands in both the seasons, 43,645 tonnes of seeds are required every year," he said. For the sake of sustainable crop production along with encouraging the farmers in crop farming, Rafiqul Islam said quality seed production should be ensured at the farmers level.

To make the project a complete success, he said around 1,250 tonnes of seeds were produced and some 5,000 farmers were given necessary training on production, procurement, processing and preservation of rice seed through establishing around 200 demonstration plots over the last two years.

Besides, necessary steps were undertaken to produce 100 tonnes of seed during the current transplanted Aman season. BMDA if giving technical service and providing required inputs like seed, fertiliser and pesticides to the targeted farmers, the officials said.

They said BMDA has also launched the rice seed processing activities at Amnura Zonal Seed Godown processing plant for the first time in its 21 years of journey under the quality seed production project.

"Besides, BMDA has been procuring breeder seed from BRRI and foundation seed from BADC and taking certificate from the Seed Certification Agency for producing quality seed," Rafiqul Islam said adding that necessary steps are being taken to avoid duplication in the regard.