the Symposium on Wheats for More Tropical Environments - cimmyt

291IV. SeedWheat Seed Production,Storage and Distribution in BangladeshS.M. Ahmed, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute,Joydebpur, Dhaka, BangladeshAbstractThe initial expansion of high-yielding varieties of wheat in Bangladesh wasfacilitated by importing seed. However. researchers realized that it would beimpOSSible to increase and sustain wheat production without an efficient seedproduction. preservation and distribution system within <strong>the</strong> country. Importedseed would not be a dependable source due to possible unavailability offoreignexchangefor its purchase. <strong>the</strong> possibility of<strong>the</strong>re being inadequate quantities ofseed ofappropriate varieties availablefor purchase, and possible delays intransport and distribution which would hinder timely planting in <strong>the</strong> country. Inview of<strong>the</strong>se problems. <strong>the</strong> development oflow-cost technologyfor seed storageunderfarmers' conditions. as well as <strong>the</strong> establishment of national seedproduction agencies, was imperative. The production, storage and distribution ofwheat seed are here discussed asfactors which have contributed to <strong>the</strong>dramatic expansion of<strong>the</strong> area under wheat in Bangladesh.In Bangladesh, <strong>the</strong> initial expansion ofhigh-yielding varieties of wheat wasfacilitated by <strong>the</strong> importation of seed.Environmental conditions, such as <strong>the</strong>short growing season. high humidityand possible premature monsoon rains.were <strong>the</strong>n thought to precludesuccessful seed production in <strong>the</strong>country. However, research personnelrealized that it would be impossible toincrease or sustain <strong>the</strong> wheatproduction area without an efficientseed production, preservation anddistribution system within <strong>the</strong> country.The reasons for this were:• Foreign exchange might not beavailable for seed imports every year;• Adequate quantities of seed ofappropriate varieties might not beavailable for purchase, and• Delays in arrival of seed and itsinternal distribution could hinder <strong>the</strong>timely planting essential for goodyields;In view of <strong>the</strong>se problems, <strong>the</strong>development of low-cost technology forseed storage under farmers' conditions.as well as <strong>the</strong> establishment of anational seed production agency. wasimperative. Surveys conducted in 1976(1) and 1977 (8) indicated that about80% of <strong>the</strong> seed required annually wasstored by farmers. Had <strong>the</strong>y not storedwheat seed. <strong>the</strong> dramatic expansion of<strong>the</strong> area under wheat would not havebeen possible.In spite of <strong>the</strong> spectacular success ofon-farm storage, some seed is alwayslost due to spoilage caused by earlyrains. insect and rat damage. flooding.loss of Viability due to <strong>the</strong> failure orinability of <strong>the</strong> farmer to dry his seedstock. or consumption of <strong>the</strong> seedbecause of <strong>the</strong> failure of <strong>the</strong> rice crop.Also. <strong>the</strong> demand for wheat seedincreases or decreases depending onwea<strong>the</strong>r conditions. For example. since60 to 70% of <strong>the</strong> wheat crop is rainfed,favorable rains just prior to <strong>the</strong> wheatseason make more land available forplanting, and <strong>the</strong> demand for seed willbe high. Thus. a strong national(private or public) seed production effort