Studies on Policy Option for Quality Seed Production and ... - NFPCSP

quality seed alone in Bangladesh could enhance yield and annual production of cereals considerablyworth Tk. 90 billion.Quality seed production and preservation at farmers’ level following the modern techniques canminimize the seed shortage as well as storage losses. But the farmers’ knowledge about the moderntechnology on seed production, processing and storage are very limited, as they do not follow theappropriate techniques from the beginning of crop production to post-harvest processing. Therefore, thefarmers’ homegrown seed is of poor quality in terms of purity, germination capacity, vigour, diseaseand insect resistance. It is believed that the post-harvest losses of stored cereal grains range from 10 to25%. These losses can be minimized through appropriate care during threshing, cleaning, drying andstorage. Under on-farm situations, the seed standard could be maintained at par or at least close toCertified Seed level by following appropriate means of seed production programmes as advocated bythe Seed Certification Agency (SCA). The public and private seed sectors or seed merchants can collectquality cereal seed from the seed-growing farmers at optimum price. The farmers also can exchangetheir surplus quality seed to their neighbours, relatives and other farmers. These initiatives would helpfor enhancing cereal production and save the huge drainage of foreign currency spent for seed import. Itthus can increase the value of locally produced cereal crops, generate local employment, stimulate localcash flow, and the processing, marketing, and related activities can improve the socio-economic statusand farmers’ livelihood. Farmers can be organized to form and motivate into a group to undertake seedproduction programmes and implement marketing activities. Considering the above facts, an assessmentof the seed supply sectors and seed management scenario is essential before planning and designing anystrategy for future development of the seed sector.1.1 Objectives of the studyThe main objective of this project is to study the ways and means of making the quality cereal crop seedavailable (Rice, Wheat and Maize) to the farmers with a view to maximizing yield and production,improving both the farm income and farmers’ socio-economic status. The specific objectives of theproject are:i) To assess the seed production and post-harvest activities of cereal crops as practised by thefarmers.ii)To document the cereal seed marketing and management scenario for designing future strategiesof seed production plan.iii) To assess the post-harvest and other losses due to lack of modern techniques.iv) To determine the quality of farmers’ homegrown cereal seeds.v) To develop policy options for seed production at farmers’ level for increasing crop yield andproduction.vi) To develop policy option for linking the seed growing farmers, private and public seed sectors,seed merchants, seed dealers and NGOs for ensuring the timely supply of quality seed tofarmers.2