BADC marks 65 years with focus on food security, modern agriculture

The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), which marks its 65th anniversary on 16 October 2026, is expanding its role in seed production, irrigation, fertiliser distribution and agricultural technology as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen food security and modernise farming.

Established on 16 October 1961, the state agency reported producing 144,000 tonnes of seeds and distributing 147,000 tonnes in fiscal 2025-26.

Over 65 years, BADC has expanded from its initial responsibilities into a multi-service agricultural organisation. Its principal activities include producing, storing and distributing quality seeds, providing irrigation facilities, and importing and distributing fertiliser.

BADC began supplying seeds in 1962-63, when its distribution amounted to approximately 13.8 metric tonnes. Its operations have since expanded substantially.

In fiscal 2025-26, the corporation produced 144,000 tonnes of seeds and distributed 147,000 tonnes to farmers. These covered rice, wheat, maize, potatoes, jute, pulses, spices, vegetables and oilseeds.

Its seed infrastructure includes 34 seed production farms, 10 horticulture development centres, 14 agro-service centres, 92 contract-farmer zones, 65 seed processing centres, 30 potato-seed cold stores, eight tissue-culture laboratories and 100 seed sales centres.

BADC works with 105,775 contract farmers who produce quality seeds using the corporation’s seeds and technical assistance. Its research cell has registered 40 high-yielding and promising crop varieties in the organisation’s name.

The corporation is also prioritising the production, processing, storage and distribution of varieties tolerant of salinity, drought and waterlogging to address the effects of climate change.

BADC introduced modern irrigation and agricultural mechanisation in Bangladesh through 1,555 power-driven pumps in 1961-62.

Its current approach places greater emphasis on water-efficient irrigation, increased use of surface water and reduced dependence on groundwater.

Other activities include removing waterlogging, excavating canals, building irrigation channels and flood-protection embankments, installing power-driven pumps, rehabilitating deep tubewells and constructing small dams in hilly areas. Solar-powered pumps and dug wells are also being installed.

During fiscal 2025-26, projects implemented by BADC extended irrigation facilities to an additional 22,000 hectares of land.

The corporation also excavated or re-excavated 820 kilometres of canals, constructed 662 irrigation structures and 49 kilometres of crop-protection embankments, installed 161 solar irrigation pumps, built 50 polytunnels, established 478 rainwater-harvesting facilities and removed waterlogging from 130 hectares.

The government has adopted a five-year plan to excavate or re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals and waterways nationwide, assigning 9,000 kilometres to BADC. The work is intended to improve surface-water availability, expand irrigation, bring fallow land under cultivation, protect biodiversity and maintain environmental balance.

Fertiliser has remained another central component of BADC’s agricultural support. The corporation began selling fertiliser, encouraging its use and providing training to farmers in 1960-61. It distributed approximately 50,000 metric tonnes in 1962-63 and established a nationwide marketing network through sales centres at the then-thana level.

In fiscal 2025-26, BADC imported 2.627 million tonnes of non-urea fertiliser, including triple superphosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MOP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP).

Distribution totalled 2.401 million tonnes. The corporation supplied 75.37 per cent of national non-urea fertiliser requirements during the fiscal year. Imports are conducted mainly under government-to-government agreements. TSP is sourced from Tunisia and Morocco, DAP from Morocco, Saudi Arabia and China, and MOP from Russia and Canada.

BADC distributes subsidised non-urea fertiliser through 148 warehouses across 64 districts and 21 regional areas, using a network of around 10,815 dealers operating through 50 sales centres. The warehouses have a standard storage capacity of 294,833 metric tonnes, with measures under way to increase capacity.

The distribution system is intended to help farmers obtain quality fertiliser at government-fixed prices and at the appropriate time.

Reducing irrigation costs and dependence on electricity and diesel is another priority. BADC has submitted a proposal to convert existing irrigation equipment to solar-powered systems using renewable energy.

The proposed project would cover 349 upazilas in 56 districts across all eight divisions. It aims to convert 50,900 existing diesel-powered irrigation pumps to solar power.

According to the proposal, the project would generate 356 megawatts of electricity daily, with 25,000 pumps connected to the national grid through net metering. The estimated annual savings would be Tk 176.40 crore.

BADC is also expanding controlled-environment agriculture through polytunnels, which support the production of safe and exportable crops. A total of 82 polytunnels have been built nationwide, with another 60 planned by June 2028.

These structures allow seedlings to be produced during extreme cold, excessive heat and heavy rainfall. They also create opportunities for year-round production of higher-value vegetables, fruits and flowers. Water-efficient irrigation, reduced pest attacks and greater participation by women in farming are among the expected benefits.

BADC is working to reduce dependence on imported jute seeds through a four-year production plan following the Prime Minister’s directive to meet domestic demand from local production.

Production activities are under way to produce 2,210 metric tonnes of jute seeds in the 2026-27 season. The targets are 3,300 metric tonnes in 2027-28 and 4,510 metric tonnes in 2028-29, before reaching 5,000 metric tonnes annually from the 2029-30 production year.

To support the target, contract-farmer zones for jute-seed production will be established in 10 districts. A project titled Achieving Self-Sufficiency by Increasing Quality Jute Seed Production to Reduce Import Dependence, covering January 2027 to December 2029, is being processed for approval.

The corporation is also seeking to expand domestic hybrid maize-seed production. Bangladesh’s maize-seed demand was 11,458 metric tonnes in the 2025-26 season, according to the Agricultural Statistics Yearbook 2025. During that season, BADC supplied hybrid maize seed of the B-3355 variety at a low price, creating opportunities to reduce future import dependence.

For summer onion seeds, BADC has set a target of producing 110 metric tonnes domestically over the next three fiscal years. Production activities are under way at various farms to produce 40 metric tonnes of N-53 variety seeds in the current production season. The target is expected to rise gradually to 100-110 metric tonnes by the 2030-31 production year.

BADC has also invested in facilities intended to improve the export potential of fresh agricultural products.

A Vapour Heat Treatment and Hot Water Treatment Plant has been established in Gabtali, Dhaka, to treat mangoes and other fruits and vegetables, reduce microbial risks and extend shelf life.

Mango vapour heat treatment began at the facility on 6 July 2026, marking the first such treatment in Bangladesh, according to the supplied account. The plant can treat 12 metric tonnes of mangoes and other fresh agricultural products daily.

To date, 8,620 kilograms of mangoes have been treated for the domestic market and 12,080 kilograms for export. The facility also offers packaging and phytosanitary certification services for fruit and vegetable exports.

Bangladesh’s agricultural priorities now extend beyond increasing production. Food safety, climate resilience, water conservation, mechanisation, modern technology, product quality and market management are increasingly important to sustainable farming.

BADC’s 65-year history reflects changes in the country’s agricultural sector, from addressing shortages of essential inputs to supporting more diversified production and technology adoption.

As it approaches its anniversary, the corporation faces the task of strengthening seed, fertiliser and irrigation services while improving efficiency, accountability and transparency. Its future role will depend on how effectively it supports farmers, advances modern agriculture and contributes to national food security.

BADC Chairman Md Azizul Islam has emphasised the importance of responsible and transparent service delivery in advancing agricultural development and ensuring food security.

The organisation’s long-term objective remains to support farmers with essential inputs and technology while helping build a more modern, sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

BADC was established on 16 October 1961. It began its seed distribution activities in 1962-63 with approximately 13.8 metric tonnes of seeds and expanded into irrigation, fertiliser supply, seed research and other agricultural services.

Its anniversary coincides with World Food Day, observed annually on 16 October. The organisation’s current initiatives include canal restoration, solar irrigation, climate-tolerant seed varieties, controlled-environment agriculture and facilities to support fresh-produce exports.