Quality rice-seed production project becomes popular
Sunday, 7 November 2010
RAJSHAHI, Nov 6 (BSS): The Seed Production Project under the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has attained a significant success in terms of supplying quality paddy seed among the farmers in the region for the last couple of years.
Officials told the news agency here Saturday that the Tk 1.32 billion 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 thrusts 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.
Project Director Rafiqul Islam said that the BMDA is, at present, providing irrigation facilities to around 7.42 lakh hectares of land in Aman season and 3.84 lakh hectares of land 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 alongside encouraging the farmers in crop farming, Rafiqul Islam said quality seed production should be enhanced at the farmers' level.
Under the project, he added that around 2,000 tonnes of seeds were produced and disbursed among the farmers and around 12,000 farmers were given necessary training on production, procurement, processing and preservation of rice seed through establishing around 1200 demonstration plots during the last five years.
BMDA has been extending technical service and providing required inputs like seed, fertilizer and pesticides to the targeted farmers, he added.
Process for distributing 360 tonnes of procured quality seed among the farmers throughout the region for the forthcoming Boro season has been finished ahead of much more times.
"Actually, now we are facing a great trouble to face the farmers demand despite of stockpiling huge seed among different other government and private level organizations concerned," agriculturist Rafiq added.
"Besides, we are 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.
If the project activities were expedited and expanded more, he hoped that the existing deficit of quality seed could be reduced to a greater extent, which will help boosting rice production together with supplement the government's endeavor to ensure food security of the nation.
Officials told the news agency here Saturday that the Tk 1.32 billion 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 thrusts 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.
Project Director Rafiqul Islam said that the BMDA is, at present, providing irrigation facilities to around 7.42 lakh hectares of land in Aman season and 3.84 lakh hectares of land 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 alongside encouraging the farmers in crop farming, Rafiqul Islam said quality seed production should be enhanced at the farmers' level.
Under the project, he added that around 2,000 tonnes of seeds were produced and disbursed among the farmers and around 12,000 farmers were given necessary training on production, procurement, processing and preservation of rice seed through establishing around 1200 demonstration plots during the last five years.
BMDA has been extending technical service and providing required inputs like seed, fertilizer and pesticides to the targeted farmers, he added.
Process for distributing 360 tonnes of procured quality seed among the farmers throughout the region for the forthcoming Boro season has been finished ahead of much more times.
"Actually, now we are facing a great trouble to face the farmers demand despite of stockpiling huge seed among different other government and private level organizations concerned," agriculturist Rafiq added.
"Besides, we are 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.
If the project activities were expedited and expanded more, he hoped that the existing deficit of quality seed could be reduced to a greater extent, which will help boosting rice production together with supplement the government's endeavor to ensure food security of the nation.