Seed means no exemption: Agriculture Minister
The Minister of Agriculture commented that seeds, which are one of the components of agricultural materials, will not be given any discount. Md. Abdur Razzaq.
He made this comment at the opening ceremony of ‘Bangladesh Seed Congress 2023’ at the Bangabandhu International Convention Center in Agargaon in the capital on Saturday morning (February 11).
Abdur Razzak said, seeds are the main materials of agricultural production. Quality seed is essential for good yield and productivity. Therefore, no concession will be made on seed quality. Public and private institutions need to work together to ensure that farmers can use seeds with 100% confidence.
The agriculture minister said that the current agriculture-friendly government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina has established good governance in agricultural inputs including fertilizers and seeds. There has been no shortage of fertilizers and seeds in the last 14 years. Although the global price of fertilizer has increased four times, the government has not increased the price of fertilizer in the country but is giving four times more subsidy than before. The price of seeds has not increased. To maintain agricultural production, the price of fertilizers and seeds will not increase in the future.
Addressing the seed companies, he said, there are still many complaints about low-quality seeds, I get reports from the field that the seedlings have not grown half. Still some companies have a tendency to cheat. Many times farmers are cheated by buying low quality seeds. On the one hand the farmers are affected, on the other hand the production is disrupted. The seed association should play a responsible role in this regard. The farmer has to gain 100% confidence in the quality of the seed. And the seed companies will benefit the most.
Dr. urged to be aware of bringing seeds from abroad. Razzak said, how useful these breeds are for the country, whether there are any diseases or germs, whether they will harm the farmers, whether there will be any damage to the environment, these issues should be thoroughly investigated.
-Sr
