New technology evolved to preserve seed for long

'Seed Film Coating' (SFC), a new technology for seed preservation, can enhance seedling performance and reduce use of insecticides, speakers at a workshop said Tuesday.

The SFC technology is the application of a very thin polymer layer, which is usually coloured around the seed without changing the shape or size.  In that way seed could be preserved for a long time and its germination rate would be higher compared to that of normal seed, officials at the workshop said.

Incotec India Pvt Ltd (IIPL) introduced the technology in India and now they are eager to work with Bangladesh government and private sector.

Canary Pvt Ltd, a Bangladeshi distributor of IIPL, jointly with BADC organised the technical workshop titled 'Incotec Seed Coating Technology and Advance Technology of Seed Quality Enhancement' held at BADC Conference Room in the city.

Chairman of BADC Md Zahir Uddin Ahmed, General Manager (Seed) Azizul Hoqe, General Manger (Agro Service) Dr Atiqur Rahman, Joint Director of the same organisation Dr Md Rezaul Karim, Canary Pvt Ltd Chairman Afzal Hossain, Senior Executive of the same organisation Irfan Hossain, among others, were present at the workshop.

IIPL Executive Director Dr Manish Patel presented the keynote paper.

The paper revealed that SFC application can enhance germination rate and can help increase production.

It said the 98-99 per cent of the polymer layer is made of organic product.

"After applying this, farmers can reduce cost for insecticides which is very helpful for environment", it said.

The paper also said healthy seed can give healthy crop and in that way farmers can get more yield.

Md Zahir Uddin Ahmed said the technology is very effective but marginal farmers of Bangladesh are not ready yet to adapt with this costlier technology.

"But in future, our agriculture will also be mechanised and then SFC could be applied," he said.

Dr Rezaul Karim also echoed the views of Mr Zahiruddin and said the technology can be used for 'foundation' seeds, but it would not be cost- effective for the marginal farmers.

On a query Manish Patel told the FE that applying the technology, it would cost Tk 3500-Tk 7000 for per tonne rice seed.

He said major share of the additional cost should be carried by the seed companies as the technology will ensure their seed protection.

He said IIPL has now working for 200 private seed companies in India and also with Indian government.

"Most of the maize and Bt Cotton seeds, distributed by private seed companies in India are linked with IIPL," he said.