Role of Quality Seed in Agriculture

Agriculture plays an important role in the overall economic development of Bangladesh where the vegetable sector alone contributes a good percentage of the country's GDP.

Substantial increase in yield and quality of vegetable crops depend upon a number of factors. The input like fertilizers, irrigation and plant protection measures and suitable agronomic practices contribute greatly towards enhancing yield and quality of the produce. If good quality seed is not used, the full benefit of such inputs and agronomic practices cannot be realised. The cost of seed represents a mere fraction (2-3%) of the total cost of production, but the quality of seed plays a decisive role in influencing the growers' profitability. Quality seeds, therefore, is the basic critical input upon which all other inputs will depend for their full effectiveness.

Seed regulation plays a very important role for development of vegetables production. Vegetable production is improving day by day after 1993 for the relaxation of government seed rule which attracts the private sector. Result of these rules a good quantity of private seed companies are established. They offer many hybrid vegetable seeds that have increased vegetables production substantially. And it ultimately brought recognition for Bangladesh as 3rd Vegetables Production Country given by FAO in 2015. So, it is not necessary to go back by notified crops like rice.

Role of vegetable seed production of private sector is tremendous. Only around 5% vegetable seeds are produced by government sector like BADC. Rest of maximum quantities is produced by private sector and serves country to supply a huge amount of vegetables.

Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative is badly needed for the demand of the people. Different universities can grow vegetables and offered companies to do the market. Many research organisations are developing varieties for the nation. They should emphasise on farmer's need and climate and saline resilient products and can offer to seed companies for the multiplication. Government can provide grant facilities to private companies for the strengthening of breeding activities of vegetables like other countries. NGO's and development sector can organise cross visit program at home and abroad for learning the special technologies.

Capacity build- up for the seed personnel is highly required. Bangladesh is slowly entering commercial Breeding, biotechnology and genetical engineering sector.  We require enough knowledge and share success stories of other countries. In this regard, Government, NGO's, development sectors, Universities, Research organisations etc can play a vital role for the greater interest of the whole nation.

The writer is Sr. General Manager, Metal agro Limited.