220 MT BADC Aman seeds infested
Live insects and insect-eaten rice powder have been found in the seeds of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC)-supplied BRRI Dhan-49 variety Aman paddy intended for the upcoming season.
Allegations have surfaced that 220 metric tons (22,000 sacks) of BADC Aman paddy seeds in Kishoreganj have been infested with insects. It is feared that the insect-infested seeds may face germination problems even after being regraded and repackaged.
Following the incident, BADC has taken the initiative to replace the affected seeds on an urgent basis.
Sources said that the entire 220 metric tons of BRRI Dhan-49 rice seeds, reportedly produced at the BADC Seed Production Centre, had been affected by the infestation. Meanwhile, 10 metric tons of the seeds were sent to the BADC Seed Marketing Centre on June 3 for distribution to dealers.
It was during inspection that the presence of insects in the seeds was detected. Subsequently, the Deputy Director of the Seed Marketing Centre wrote to the concerned production authority, requesting the immediate supply of insect-free seeds and informing higher authorities about the matter.
The letter stated that 10 metric tons of certified BRRI Dhan-49 seeds allocated from the production branch of BADC for the 2026-27 distribution year had been sent to the marketing branch. During seed verification, live insects and insect-damaged rice powder were found.
According to BADC officials, dealers have already begun contacting them to collect seeds. In this situation, distributing insect-infested seeds could create complications for both farmers and dealers. Therefore, a request has been made to supply insect-free seeds as quickly as possible.
BADC dealer Golam Mostafa complained that he has not received seeds according to his demand despite depositing money and completing the necessary documentation. He said transportation costs and the inconvenience of repeatedly visiting the office are increasing.
Another dealer, Khorshed Alam, said that although the seeds were scheduled to be delivered on June 1, the supply has yet to arrive. Later, he learned that insects had been found in the seeds supplied from the production branch.
Dealer Masum Billah said, “Quality seeds are crucial for the production of farmers’ main crops throughout the year. Under no circumstances should low-quality or damaged seeds be distributed at the field level.”
Assistant Deputy Director (Marketing) of BADC, Fatema Nasrin, said that live insects were discovered during inspection of seeds received from the production branch. As a result, dealers are reluctant to accept them.
Md. Joynal Abedin, Deputy Director (Marketing) of BADC in Kishoreganj, told The New Nation that there is huge demand for BRRI Dhan-49 seeds. After a 10-ton consignment arrived from the production centre, the infestation was detected during inspection.
