BADC's failure to ensure quality seeds

It is alarming that what initially appeared to be a gesture of goodwill towards farmers has in the end turned out to be a threat to their livelihoods in particular and national onion production as a whole. Recent media reports gave a shocking picture of how farmers in 59 districts incurred heavy losses not because of vagaries of nature but due to the low quality onion seeds supplied to them by the government. According to reports, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) distributed 34 tonnes of onion seeds for free to 34,000 farmers across 59 districts, but 95 per cent of the seeds did not germinate.
The economic hardship that has befallen the farmers as a result of the crop failure is no doubt a matter of grave concern but the more ominous aspect of the development is that it is likely to further aggravate the volatile onion market.
The Agriculture Department has announced plans to distribute onion seeds again to the affected farmers. However, farmers' confidence in government-provided seeds has already been shattered. More importantly, who will compensate for the colossal losses they have incurred due to the distribution of substandard seeds?
Farmers in different areas brought out protest rallies against the supply of low quality seeds, and they rightly demanded compensation for the losses they incurred and sought stern action against the companies that supplied the seeds. While the situation urgently demands such action, steps must be taken to thwart further import and marketing of below standard seeds. At the same time, investigation must be made to find out whether the quality of the seeds was tested and who in the government agencies allowed the distribution of the substandard seeds.
The allegation of supplying substandard seeds has been raised against BADC in 2023 as well. Apart from onion seeds, there are also allegations of distribution of substandard potato seeds. What will happen to the agriculture sector if farmers have to depend on the supply of low quality seeds?
Even so, the country's agriculture achieved brilliant successes over the years in terms of research and development of new strains of crops, crop diversification and a near self-sufficiency in food production. These achievements of the sector not only contributed to the relative economic stability of the country but also to an increased calorie intake of the people and poverty reduction.
None should be allowed to jeopardise the prospect of this vital sector. Quality seeds are the most fundamental inputs that the agricultural sector hinges upon. Any compromise in this regard will be suicidal for the country, its people and the economy. Apart from taking punitive measures against corrupt officials responsible for import of substandard seeds, the authorities must also be vigilant against all conspiracies to make the country dependent on others for onion, rice, potato and other agricultural products.

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