DHAKA, July 2, 2024 (BSS) - To ensure food and nutrition security of the 
people of Bangladesh, crop production should be increased by increasing 
quality seed production. 

Speakers said this at a workshop, titled 'PKSF's initiatives to meet the 
demand for quality seeds', held today at the PKSF Bhaban in Dhaka. 

Anwar Faruque, Adviser, Bangladesh Seed Association and former Secretary, 
Ministry of Agriculture, was present as the chief guest at the workshop. 
Nomita Halder, Managing Director of PKSF, presided over the meeting, said a 
press release.

Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir, Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute 
(BRRI), and Md Mostafizur Rahman, Member Director (Seed and Horticulture) of 
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) were special guests of 
the program. 

Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF, gave the 
welcome speech at the workshop. Tanvir Sultana, Deputy General Manager of 
PKSF gave a presentation on the activities of the Integrated Agriculture 
Unit. Dr Md Abdul Malek presented on PKSF's initiatives to meet the demand 
for quality seeds in the workshop. 

Speakers in the event said that the supply of quality seeds is a must for 
increasing the country's agricultural production and ensuring food security. 

According to the sources of the Ministry of Agriculture, the total demand for 
seeds of various crops in the year 2022-23 was 12,10,351 tonnes, but the 
amount of seeds produced by BADC, DAE and BMDA and seeds produced and 
imported through private organizations is 3,61,264 tonnes, which is only 30 
percent of the total domestic demand. 

PKSF is helping farmers produce small-scale crop seeds (paddy, mustard, dal, 
onion etc) through its Integrated Agriculture Unit.