Regional Markets

Regional Markets for Local Development
farmers. In this context the Farmers Alliance in the three unions in Kurigram District
decided to produce, process and market seeds for their own use (as well as to sell seeds
to other farmers in the area). It is estimated that if Bangladeshi farmers obtain quality
rice seeds, they could produce an additional 2.1 million tons of rice annually (worth
USD 420 million) (CPD 2002). This would greatly reduce food grain imports, contributing
to food security at national level and increased incomes at local level.
FoSHoL community-based seed enterprise
In 2008, with the help of FoSHoL, the
Farmers Alliance developed a seed enterprise.
The members of the alliance were
split according to their interests into three
groups: seed growers, seed traders and
seed processors. These groups received
trainings on their respective functions.
Around 260 members of the Farmers
Alliance were trained as seed growers and
39 as seed traders. The Bangladesh Rice
Research Institute (BRRI) trained seed
growers on seed production technology. Group discussion
The BRRI also agreed to provide growers
with foundation seeds, which are purebred seeds used for the production of certified
quality rice seeds. The farmers were also introduced to representatives of the Seed
Certification Agency (SCA) to certify their seeds.
The foundation seeds are transported to the processing centre where the processor
group manages the processing strictly according to SCA standards. A qualified seed
technologist is responsible for supervising the process. The seeds are packaged and sold
to the members of the farmer’s alliance and other farmers in the rice cultivation areas.
In 2009, farmers produced around 30 metric tons of high-quality foundation rice seed
on 42 acres of land. The seed growers were allowed to keep 10% of the harvested seed
for their own use or for local exchange or sale, providing them with seed security.
The existing seed production and distribution system (shown in Figure 3.2) is characterised
by the involvement of various commercial actors, including multinational seed
companies and NGOs. All these players aim to maximise profit, and the farmers end
up paying the price as the final consumer in the seed chain. The long supply chain
increases the price of the seed and provides farmers little control over the availability
and quality of seeds.
Photo: Amirul Islam
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