Home ›› 24 Aug 2021 ›› Front
Seed import almost tripled in the last two years even amid the global pandemic as the government shifts its focus to hybrid crop varieties to sustain food security.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), in fiscal year 2018-19, the import volume was 23,215 metric tonnes. The volume soared to 64,164MT in the first nine months of FY 2020-21.
Among them, grain seeds import reached 51,938MT in the first nine months of FY 21 from 16,734MT in FY 19. Vegetable seeds import reached 12,226MT in the first nine months of FY 21 from 6,481MT in FY 19. Data from the last three months are yet to be added.
“We are shifting to hybrid varieties of many crops from last year for increasing production for food security. Seed import is increasing for this reason,” AKM Manirul Alam, Director (Field wing) of DAE, told The Business Post.
Seed Importers say they are facing problems in the pandemic situation with some conditions imposed by the authorities before the virus outbreak. If the requirements are not relaxed, the production in the upcoming winter season may be affected.
The National Board of Revenue Published a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) in December 2019, imposing some conditions for importing seeds. Ready to sell seeds have to be imported in packs not exceeding 1kg. The germination rate of the seed varieties, time of sowing and usability in tropical weather should be certified by the government agencies concerned of exporter countries.
NBR also imposed an obligation to take permission from the director general (seed) of the Ministry of Agriculture to import seed packets up to 25kg each. Before securing SRO, importers must obtain permission from DAE’s quarantine department.
‘Lengthy process’
Bangladesh Seed Association wrote a letter to the agriculture minister on August 21, requesting to relax some conditions to keep supply uninterrupted for the next winter sowing.
The association had previously argued that government offices and labs in many export countries were shut during the pandemic. No official could visit the field either. Hence, meeting all conditions was impossible.
When labs are shut, it is hard to get the required certification from the government agencies of exporting countries.
The association noted that Bangladesh is entirely dependent on importing some vegetable seeds and pointed out that it was time for importing seeds to ensure food security.
On June 20 this year, the association sought an amendment to the NBR SRO published in December 2019.
The association said the import volume of some seed varieties ranges between 50MT and 100MT. A separate import permit is needed for every five tonnes of seeds.
A member of the Bangladesh Seed Association, declining to be named, said, “Following the procedure is time-consuming, but I don’t see any problem with it.”
Checking germination rate is a must
Prof Parimal Kanti Biswas, Department of Agronomy at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, said there are good chances of being cheated while procuring hybrid seeds.
“Germination rate is the most important indicator of a hybrid seed variety. Seeds with low germination rates will see the production fall, but those with high rates can help increase production, something crucial for food safety,” he told The Business Post.
DAE’s Manirul concurred. “Conditions mentioned in the SRO are a must to ensure the security of food, the agriculture sector and farmers,” he said.
Though import is rising, Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) is increasing its field of research and development of hybrid seed varieties. They have already developed and marketed some varieties.
“We are trying to develop hybrid seeds of more crops. Import will gradually fall when we are more successful in developing hybrid varieties of crops,” said Md Mostafizur Rahman, member director (Seed and horticulture ) of BADC. “Germination and other condition are needed as it is a question of food security.”
