BADC and IRRI empower farmers with Seed System and Product Management Program in Bangladesh

TANGAIL, Bangladesh (9 June 2023) – The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)  jointly organized a training on rice seed production, processing, preservation, and marketing for dealers and seed growers at Tangail Bangladesh. BADC-registered members from across the value chain were invited to introduce new varieties of rice and discuss the production and development of quality seed through processing, preservation, and marketing so that they can be extension advisors within their farming communities or networks.

Mr. Abdullah Sazzad, NDC, Chairman of BADC, stated that this collaboration between BADC and IRRI is important in boosting the production of high-quality seeds and improving rice seed research and development. BADC, under the Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh, is responsible for distributing high-quality seeds (including improved varieties and climate-tolerant varieties) to dealers in the country. Together, IRRI and BADC have been jointly implementing Seed System and Product Management in different regions of Bangladesh to collect data to verify the sustainability of modern and promising high-yielding varieties of rice through field trials.

The training programs are targeting around 200 BADC-registered seed dealers and growers in four different locations of Bangladesh to address the gap in the supply and demand of new and improved seed varieties, thus improving inclusivity in the value chain process for seed growers. The program currently engaged with NARES and other stakeholders like farmers, dealers, and millers to conduct on-farm trials and demonstrations for the identification and promotion of varieties. Qualitative feedback from farmers, dealers, and millers on new varieties of rice helps compare popular rice varieties with potential varieties in the trial beds which aids in the selection of region-specific suitable varieties leading to swift expansion of selected rice varieties at the farmers’ level.

The training was coordinated by the Chief Coordinator of Research Cell, Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam; Deputy Manager of BADC Seed Wing, Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman; Head and Principal Scientific Officer, FFS, BRRI; Mr. Muhammad Ashraful Habib; and Dr. Saidul Islam from IRRI Bangladesh. Present at the inaugural session of the training were NDC Chairman (Additional Secretary), BADC, Mr. Abdullah Sazzad, as the chief guest; Chief of Party, IRRI Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Sirajul Islam; and Member Director (Seeds & Horticulture) Md. Mostafizar Rahman as the special guests and Additional Director, Seed Marketing Division, BADC, Dr. Md. Mahbube Alam as the chairperson of the training.

Author Information: 

• Mr. Muhammad Ashraful Habib, Lead Specialist, Seed System & Product Management, IRRI
• Dr. Saidul Islam, Lead Specialist, Seed System & Product Management, IRRI 
• Dr. Swati Nayak, Scientist &  South Asia Lead - Seed Systems & Product Management, IRRI

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