Govt to set up seed breeding farm at Tk439cr

The government has decided to set up a seed breeding farm in Feni’s Sonagazi upazila, with the goal to improve food security, alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of coastal people.

This farm – to be set up on 626.39 acres land at a cost of Tk 439 crore by December 2025 – will boost the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation’s (BADC) capacity by producing high-yielding, disease free, and quality seeds, said a senior official at the Planning Commission.

When this project is implemented, the cropping pattern and grain density will increase in the char areas of the country. This will enable the development of more environmentally friendly and high-yielding varieties of paddy and other crops, according to the project proposal.

Cultivation will be expanded through production of 2,427 tonnes of refined seeds of popular local varieties and use of quality seeds. The main components of the project are acquiring 626.39 acres of land and developing 18 acres.

Training will be imparted to 650 farmers, seed dealers and employees involved with the process of seed production, processing and storage. At the same time 585 field exhibitions will be held.

The implementing agency BADC will procure 226 farm related equipment, 2,360 seed collection and processing equipment, 42 meteorological and other equipment for the project.

Under the project, 1,000 square metre seed warehouse, transit warehouse, 300 square metre cleaning and grading machine room, and 200 square metre material warehouses will be built.

Besides, 4,800 square metre sunning floor, 1,602 square metre covered threshing floor, 1,200 square metre open threshing cum sunning floor, 100 square metre vermin-compost production shed and 600 square metre cow shed will also be constructed.

Under the project, three guard rooms with 151 square metres of space each, 155 square metre residential building for employees or workers, and 1,392 square metre office building will be built as well.

The project is included in the annual development programme (ADP) of the current FY as an unapproved project.

On the matter, State Minister for planning Prof Shamsul Alam had recently said, “Through the implementation of such a project, Bangladesh has taken another step towards ensuring 100 per cent food security in the country.”