Lack of preservation centres causing seed crisis
Our Correspondent | Thursday, 5 June 2008
BRAHMANBARIA, June 4: Brahmanbaria, Comilla and Chandpur districts are facing acute seed crisis every season for lack of adequate seed preservation centres.
Farmers have alleged that the seed crisis has been prevailing in three districts as they cannot store seed for the next year's cultivation for lack of adequate storage facilities because demand for seed is increasing every year.
Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), Comilla zone office sources said, at least 21 seed preservation centres with storage facilities are needed at upazila level in the three districts to preserve 3000 tonnes of seeds annually.
But at present there are only five seed preservation centres and stores in the Comilla zone with a total preservation capacity of only 500 tonnes.
When contacted BADC Deputy Director Showkat Hossain Majumder said there are two seed preservation centres with storage facilities in Brahmanbaria with 50 tonnes and in Comilla with 300 tonnes while rented stores in Burichong and Hajiganj have the capacity of 100 tonnes. At least a 1000-tonne capacity seed preservation centre is needed in Comilla, sources said.
Construction work of a seed processing centre along with store having a capacity of 2000 tonnes at Itakhola is in progress.
Farmers have alleged that the seed crisis has been prevailing in three districts as they cannot store seed for the next year's cultivation for lack of adequate storage facilities because demand for seed is increasing every year.
Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), Comilla zone office sources said, at least 21 seed preservation centres with storage facilities are needed at upazila level in the three districts to preserve 3000 tonnes of seeds annually.
But at present there are only five seed preservation centres and stores in the Comilla zone with a total preservation capacity of only 500 tonnes.
When contacted BADC Deputy Director Showkat Hossain Majumder said there are two seed preservation centres with storage facilities in Brahmanbaria with 50 tonnes and in Comilla with 300 tonnes while rented stores in Burichong and Hajiganj have the capacity of 100 tonnes. At least a 1000-tonne capacity seed preservation centre is needed in Comilla, sources said.
Construction work of a seed processing centre along with store having a capacity of 2000 tonnes at Itakhola is in progress.