A ban on export of hybrid paddy seed by China has caused much anxiety for the local importers, who are dependent on that country for supply of the variety of input, said a hybrid seed dealer.
"Chinese hybrid paddy seed sellers are not taking export order due to the ban," said Mohammad Masum, chairman of Supreme Seed, a local company.
China, the world sixth largest rice exporting country, announced in December 2007 that it would impose export ban on rice after Vietnam and India had took similar step against the backdrop growing concern on food security.
The country's importers, however, never thought that such a ban would also be applicable to hybrid paddy seeds, he said.
"But, now the reality is that the hybrid paddy seed has fallen under the same ban," said Masum, adding that Chinese exporters made it clear to importers worldwide.
Such development, according to him, is a big worry for local hybrid seed importers, who are totally dependent on China,
Not only Bangladesh, but other major rice producing countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines and Laos will also be affected by the ban as they have to rely on Chinese hybrid seeds, he said.
The import by Supreme Seed accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the country's last season hybrid seed import of 10,000 tonnes. Rest of the amount was imported by 15 other local companies, including BRAC, Aftab, East West and ACI.
As the yield of hybrid paddy seed is at least 20 per cent higher than any other verity, the ministry of agriculture last winter season allowed the importers to increase its marketing by almost double.
The step was taken to boost Boro production due to losses of Aman paddy by floods and cyclone last year.
Experts said the use of hybrid seeds would ensure production of an additional 1.0 million tonnes of Boro, which is now being harvested.
The country is expected to harvest 18.5 million tonnes of Boro paddy in the current season compared with production of around 13.5 million tonnes last year.
Another hybrid seed importer, however, said the Chinese export ban will only affect production of Boro paddy.
The local importers do not import hybrid seed for Aman production, which will start from July next.
But they have to start the procedure of importing hybrid seed for the next Boro season by August and September.
"We expect China to lift the ban or at least allow the export of hybrid seeds by the time Boro season starts," he said.
He said Chinese hybrid seed exporters have already tried to convince the authorities to withdraw ban from the hybrid seed export.
