Approval granted for land allocation to establish seed farm

Staff Reporter :

The Central Land Allocation Committee has approved the acquisition of land for the long-awaited Seed Multiplication Farm Project in southeastern Bangladesh. The approval came at a recent meeting of the committee held at the Ministry of Land. According to relevant sources, the proposal will soon be placed before the Chief Adviser for final approval.

Local residents, especially those from Feni, view the project as a new horizon for the region’s agricultural and economic development. They have expressed their gratitude to the current interim government for this initiative.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the “Establishment of a Seed Multiplication Farm in the Southeastern Region of Bangladesh” project has been undertaken under the supervision of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). The goal of the project is to enhance the production and supply of high-quality seeds in agriculture, thereby creating new opportunities for boosting the country’s food production.

The land acquisition for the project was approved at a meeting of the Central Land Allocation Committee held on October 22 in the conference room of the Ministry of Land, with Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder in the chair. The meeting was attended by the Secretaries of the Ministries of Land, Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change, Housing and Public Works, and representatives from various other ministries and agencies. Earlier, on September 8, the Feni District Administration had sent a proposal to the Ministry of Land seeking approval for the acquisition.

According to ministry sources, under this project, a 535.37-acre Seed Multiplication Farm will be established in Sonagazi, Feni. The farm will produce high-quality foundation seeds from breeder seeds developed by agricultural research institutes. Seeds of crops such as rice, potato, mustard, pulses, oilseeds, and maize will be produced here. Later, these foundation seeds will be multiplied at the farmers’ level to produce certified seeds.

Currently, Bangladesh’s annual seed demand stands at around 1.3 million metric tons. Of this, BADC supplies about 158,000 metric tons, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) supplies 25,000 tons, and other sources provide approximately 200,000 tons of seeds.
Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Miah said, “This farm will produce high-quality foundation seeds. Using high-quality seeds alone can increase crop yields by 15 to 20 percent. Once implemented, the project will mark a new chapter in the nation’s agricultural progress.”
He added that the project will not only boost agriculture but will also play a vital role in improving local socio-economic conditions, creating employment opportunities, and maintaining environmental balance.