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National Agriculture Policy

Seeds Policy :
At present, only a small portion of the required quality seeds for different crops is supplied by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). Rest of the seeds are produced, preserved and used under private management, especially at the farmers’ level. Government has already declared the National Seed Policy with the objective of promoting seed industry in the private sector. In pursuance of the seed policy, government has revised the Seed Act of 1977 and also formulated seed rules in the light of the Seed Act (Amendment) 1997. In this respect the government will follow the policies mentioned below:

• In the light of the prevailing seed act and seed rules, the government will retain the opportunities already provided to the private sector for production, import and marketing of seeds side by side with the public sector.
• Appropriate mechanism will be devised to improve the technical skill of the private sector with regards to seed treatment, seed preservation at specific moisture level and seed storage management so as to ensure the highest quality of seeds.
• The act of favorable policy preparation, technical supports, training, etc. will be strengthened in order to encourage private sector participation in seed development and seed preservation.
• Improved technology-based seed production, seed multiplication and related farm activities have been declared as industrial enterprises in the present industrial policy. For the development of seed industry this policy will be continued and adequate government support will be provided.
• In addition to the production and marketing of seeds in the public and private sectors, the policies relating to seed production and seed preservation at the farmers’ level will continue so that the farmers can easily use good quality seeds. The government has, meanwhile, taken initiative for strengthening the activities of BADC in this regard. Necessary steps will be taken during the Fifth Five Year Plan period to raise BADC’s seed distribution program to the extent of ten percent of the total demand.
• Already introduced seed buffer stock system will continue to ensure the normal supply of seeds of major crops at the time of natural calamities or any other disaster.
• The conditional opportunity that has already been given to the private sector to import hybrid rice seeds for increasing rice production will be further consolidated on the basis of performance analysis. But, special care will be taken to ensure that the private sector produces hybrid seeds locally and that the hybrid seeds offer higher yield and more financial benefits to the farmers on a sustained basis.
• At present, Seed Certification Agency (SCA) is the only legal authority to certify seeds. With a view to increasing supply of quality seeds, private sector agencies participating in the seed production programs will be allowed to market their "truthfully labeled seeds" side by side with the government agencies. The Seed Certification Agency will have the legal authority and responsibility to closely monitor the entire seed labeling and certifying process of the respective private sector organizations. The Seed Certification Agency will take membership of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) so that the opportunities for exporting internationally standard seeds are created.