Maize seed production hampered by syndicate traders

Nilphamari Correspondent :

Bangladesh is losing a huge amount of foreign currency every year due to excessive dependence on imported maize seeds.

Experts believe that self-sufficiency in maize seed production is being hindered by syndicate traders, vested interests of some officials involved in seed import, insufficient research, and weak policy frameworks.

Despite long-term investment in agriculture, the country has yet to produce maize seeds of international standard.

This has raised serious questions where exactly does the problem lie? Why has Bangladesh failed to achieve self-reliance in maize seeds despite ongoing research activities?

Md. Abu Taleb Mia, Deputy Director of the BADC Farm in Domar upazila of Nilphamari, said that during the last season, hybrid maize seed varieties B-3355 and B-3255 (Advanta) were cultivated experimentally on three to four bighas of land at the farm.

He stated, “If maize seed production is carried out by following specific methods and maintaining genetic purity, Bangladesh can certainly succeed. We have achieved significant success on an experimental level.

With more government-led research and support, producing quality maize seeds is definitely possible.”

According to experts, major obstacles to domestic maize seed production include lack of advanced research, absence of modern laboratories and technologies, excessive dependence on private companies, and the absence of long-term policies.

Although the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and BADC produce seeds on a limited scale, their output is far from meeting market demand. As a result, dependence on imported seeds continues to rise.

Md. Mahafuza Rahman, a maize seed trader at Pulhat Bazar in Kundapukur Union of Nilphamari Sadar upazila, said that farmers from three unions of Nilphamari Sadar and several areas of Khansama upazila in Dinajpur regularly collect maize seeds from him.

“I sell maize seeds worth around 5 to 6 million taka every season,” he added.
Nilphamari District Agricultural Extension Officer Md. Manjur Rahman said that Bangladesh still lacks the advanced technology, long-term research investment, and skilled scientists required to produce international-standard hybrid maize seeds.

In contrast, countries like India have made significant progress in hybrid seed production due to years of planned research and investment.

He also pointed out that weaknesses in seed production and certification systems, problems in preserving breeder seeds, and reliance on individual-centric projects are major barriers to achieving self-sufficiency in maize seeds.