situation analysis of seed business in bangladesh draft...

Research report On

SITUATION ANALYSIS OF SEED BUSINESS IN BANGLADESH (Draft Final)

BARCIK

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CONTENT CHAPTER-1: 4 – 8 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER-2 9 -19 MAPPING OF COMPANIES CHAPTER-3 20 – 25 SEED AGRIBUSINESS CHAIN CHAPTER-4 26-37 TRENDS OF SEED AGRIBUSINESS AND FARMERS’ FOOD RIGHTS CHAPTER-5 38-44 FARMERS RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY IN SEED: HYBRID, GENETICALLY MODIFIED SEED CHAPTER-6 45-46 APPROPRIATE PATH TO DEAL WITH SEED ANNEX-A: LIST OF SEED RELATED ORGANIZATIONS (seedquest.com) 47-50 ANNEX-B: DISTRICT-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF REGISTERED DEALERS 51-52 ANNEX-C: WHAT ARE FARMER'S RIGHTS? 53-54 ANNEX-D: WHAT IS SEED 55 ANNEX- E: PORTFOLIO OF SELECTED COMPANIES IN SEED TRADE 56-57

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CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION

Agricultural seed is the cornerstone of food security for a developing nation. Bangladesh being a typical agrarian economy is thus dependent on a steady supply of seed. With a high population density the government priortizes a high agricultural output. The current reality is that high yielding varieties of seed are being promoted into the country’s agricultural system through various sources. This study is an attempt to analyze the situation of seed business in the context of Bangladesh. Particularly the trend of seed business and role of stakeholders. The study intends to shed light on possible options for future courses of action. This study would first address the present context of companies dealing with seed business. In order to do so we will look at the role of companies. Moreover, the overall condition of the study location along with relevent demand supply analysis and resource mapping will be further reviewed. From the above mentioned scenarios current information gaps will also be identified. A special focus will be given on the impact of natural disasters on seed marketing. The study will then move to address the significance of seed companies and their impact on the overall supply chain. This chapter also focuses on seed agribusiness chains that operate specific to study locals. The business chain will then be followed to the wider marketing chain. In chapter three the flowcharts will be broken down and analyzed subject to relevance of the current seed situation. This will allow us to identify key linkages related to agricultural services. Once the overall marketing chain of seed in Bangladesh has been clearly described it is only natural to assess this system from the perspective of a timeframe. As a result chapter four will try to incorporate the primary findings alongwith secondary literature reviews in order to describe a clear trend analysis of seed cultivation, procurement, marketing and impacts. Focus will be given on cultivation patterns, livelihood as well as key actors and factors related to changes in seed sector. Furthermore, a brief review of the local national and global policies regarding seed will be addressed. The study will conclude by providing primary recommendations on the seed sector. These recommendations will be based on overall review of the contents of chapter two, three and four. Specific issuses will be highlighted such as the gaps in the mapping of companies, the relevance of linkgaes in the seed markeing chain and a relevent way forward strategy based on current trend analysis will also be presented. It is expected that the way forward strategy will incorporate the views and opinions of the primary respondents of the study. RATIONALE OF THE STUDY From a layman’s perspective the country is loosing its genetic resources as well as the holders of indigenous knowledge associated with this by the policies adopted by the government and also by the aggressive business mechanisms of seed companies. Continuous loss of land of marginal farmers and increased difficulty to market access has left the agricultural sector struggling in recent times. The small and marginal farming communities are gradually loosing their control over seeds. Current neo-liberal trade policies have affected third world agricultural business enterprises. These pressures

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have marginalized local producers and subsequently influenced large-scale farmers to enforce global export based agricultural strategies. The study recognizes the diminishing role of public institutions in agriculture. To this end we will look specifically at Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) The BADC will be reviewed in the context of its role in influencing current seed production and marketing in a more corporate agricultural environment in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study takes on a gargantuan task of analyzing the seed situation of Bangladesh. The roles of both public and private companies will be seen comparatively The various actors and stakeholders will be reviewed from a very contextual trend analysis. Thus a way forward strategy will be formulated giving due importance to the most affected group of people revolving around this sector – the grassroots farmers. STUDY OBJECTIVE Bangladesh is riddled with various different actors in its agricultural sector. Since post-colonization a free market economy has been prevelant in all aspects of Bangladesh. This has led to many small scale and large scale business enterprises to infiltrate a once public owned agricultural field. The reality is that marginal farmers who used to be owners are being subject to landlessness, loss of ownership and loss of control over genetic resources. This prime objective of the study is to analyze the overall seed situation of Bangladesh which is described in detail as follows. The study intends to analyse the issue of seed agribusiness of the country as a whole and to list out its relative positive and negative features, which will help formulate a comprehensive recommendation to be made for small and marginal farmer friendly seed and agriculture policy. The study will address this situational analysis from four primary perspectives –

• To map out of all companies and agents dealing with seed agribusiness

• To figure out the seed agribusiness chain in the country;

• To capture all trends of seed agribusiness and their relative consequences on farmers food rights;

• To find out an appropriate path to dealing with seed issue that preserves our small and marginal farmers interest

METHODOLOGY The methodology of this study has been formulated to focus on the status of the marginal farmers in terms of a much larger local, national and global context. Therefore, a clear idea of all local and national companies in the Bangladesh agricultural sector needs to be thoroughly reviewed. This will be achieved by a detailed mapping of seed companies. A clear agribusiness chain of the country will be developed, starting with the primary producers (grassroots farmer) and end with the largest actors in the agricultural sector of Bangladesh. It is being hypothesised, this chain will allow a clear vision for trend analysis. Subject to relevant policy reviews and primary findings this trend analysis will lead to a series of recommendations and information gaps which would require further investigation. Upon assessing the overall strategy mentioned above the following data sources are being identified.

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Sources of Data Information for this study was collected both from primary and secondary sources. Primary Sources Primary level information was collected through a series of discussion with three different stakeholders’ level, i.e. state level, market level and civil society level. The diagram bellow shows levels for primary information collection for the study; Secondary Sources Secondary information for the study was collected through Literature (Book, Research report, Journal etc.), Internet and Newspapers. The research team collected and reviewed seed related publications from different sources including the Bangladesh Agricultural research Council (BARC), Bangladesh Agricultural research Institute (BARI), FAO, World Bank, Department of Agricultural Extension, Sher-e-Banglanagar Agricultural University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangabandhu Agricultural University, BRAC, CARE, and local NGOs in Natore and Gaibandha. BARCIK team also reviewed paper clippings on seed issues. RESEARCH STRATEGIES This study adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches and supported by a variety of tools and techniques including structured and semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), key informant interview, informal discussions, and case study collection. The questionnaire-led structured interviews, case story collection and the FGDs guided by checklists was held at the primary stakeholders level while semi-structured interviews, key informant interview, and informal discussions was conducted at secondary stakeholders level. In the structured interview, the respondents was asked “a series of pre-established [and non-contentious] questions with pre-set response categories”. The data collection stage was preceded by the field-testing of the interviews

Market Commercial seed growers and traders (Like- ACI, Mallicka etc.), Local level

seed dealers/agents

Civil Society Actors Farmers, farmers association/ leaders, NGOs, academic institutions, lawyers,

journalists

Levels for Primary Information Collection

State Concerned Government departments/

ministries

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and FGDs, which increased the opportunity to get a rich set of data. Moreover, the interviews and discussions was conducted in a comprehensible and communicative local language to build rapport with the respondents. It was, however, maintain its objectivity and neutrality in its process and validate its credibility, trustworthiness and authenticity against communicative, argumentative and ecological measures. A 5 (five) member study team was formed with the members of BARCIK Research & Policy Advocacy Unit. 2 Research Internee was recruited for 3 months to support the research team in conducing field work. Following is a detailed outlines of the methods and tools was used in relation to specific research objectives of the study: STUDY AREA Information was collected specifically focusing on two villages through a detailed microscopic view. It needs to be mentioned that both villages contrast each other in terms of socio-economic and environmental backgrounds. It was also observed that the areas selected had different strategies of participation in the Bangladesh agricultural sector. The available information suggests that Northern part of Bangladesh is the major cultivation areas of HYV & Hybrid seeds. On the other hand the riverine / char areas still practices local varieties of seeds to a large extent. Considering this it has been decided to collect study information from 2 villages, one from northern part of the country and another one from char areas of the country. At the same time it is true that there are massive activities of NGOs in Northern part and very little activities in the interior char areas. Erandabari union in Fulchhari upazilla of Gaibandha and Jonail union in Baraigram upazilla of Natore are the two areas, which were covered under study.

Table 1 Profile of the study villages

District Upazilla Union Household Village Household

Gaibandha Fulchhari Erendabari 4731 with 24,158 population

Jigabari 695

Natore Baraigram Jonail 6696 with 29,990 population

Kachughari 472

Fulchhari: Fulchhari is the smallest upazilla in Gaibandha district. Almost part of the upazilla is under riverine areas. Fulchhari upazilla occupies an area of 306.53 sq. km with 1,37,795 (as per 2001 BBS census). Among the total households nearly 60.03% of the dwelling households own agriculture land and 39.97% dwelling household do not have their own land. A total of 75.15% of the dwelling households depend on agriculture as the main source of income with 42.47% on cropping, livestock, forestry and fishery and 32.68% as agricultural labour. Other sources of household income is non-

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agricultural labour (3.36%), business (7.91%), employment (3.46%), construction (1.23%) and others. Main crops are rice, wheat, millet, black gram, onion, chili, groundnut, mustered and arum

Baraigram: The upazilla occupies an area of 299.61 sq.km with 2,44,821 population. The upazilla consists of 7 unions and 182 villages. Among the total households nearly 57.72% of the dwelling households own agriculture land and 21.27% dwelling household do not have own land. A total of 73.70% of the dwelling households depend on agriculture as the main source of income and others are cropping, livestock & forestry (38.81%), agricultural labour (32.89%).

Main crops are rice, sugarcane, wheat, mustered, onion, garlic, potato, brinjal. Sampling strategies Representativeness was the prime criteria for sampling in the present survey. More specifically, three hundred small and marginal farmer households were surveyed considering simple probabilistic sampling strategies. Considering utmost similarity amongst survey population, it was by any means sound as well as representative to survey three hundred households under study. Moreover, considering the purpose of the study it was decided to purposively select survey households from two different study locales. One hundred and fifty households were surveyed from each location. Data Organization and Analysis Data organization was comprised computer entry of questionnaires received from the field, data processing and analysis of data. As soon as the questionnaires were received from the field, data was fed into a pre-designed programme. Data processing involved editing and coding. The process of data analysis involved the use of procedures that have been established by grounded theory in sociology. Through intensive coding procedures, the survey looked for themes, patterns and emerging typologies. Pretest and Finalization of Data Collecting Instruments Survey questionnaire was to be pre-tested to assess how relevant the questions were, how well the respondents understand the questions, and whether there were problems in administering the instruments. Pre-testing of the questionnaire took place in a village in BARCIK Manikganj field area. On the basis of the pre-test results, the questionnaire had adapted necessary modifications and was finalized with due consultation with the data collectors. Study Duratiuon Field level data collection was done from August to October 2007.

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CHAPTER 2 MAPPING OF COMPANIES

In the seed soctor of Bangladesh there are both public and private sector companies are operating business. Specifically each type of seed company has defined roles and objectives subject to their mandate. It would be necessary to comprehend this nature of company strategy before we can evaluate their impact in the agricultural sector. The mandate of public company like BADC has great differences than those of private companies such as East-West seed (Bangladesh) Ltd., a private seed company operating in most districts of Bangladesh including the study areas. DEMAND AND SUPPLY SITUATION As resource distribution in terms of agriculture, fisheries and fresh water supply is usually abstract and unclear, it is of no surprise that in case of seed resources a similar gray area exists in Bangladesh. In trying to clarify the current seed demand and supply situation secondary literature reviews of existing researches and government statistics have been assessed. It has been reveled that (DAE -2004), there are total 17, 82,800 households involved in agriculture and nearly 10, 33,800 households are involved in non-agricultural sectors. 51.7% of the workforce is engaged in agricultural sector overall in Bangladesh.

Table 2 Classification of farming households in Bangladesh

Category of Farming Households

Land distribution (Hectare)

No. of Family

(lakh)

% of total population

% of available agricultural land

Small 0.01-1.00 154.50 86.66 41.20

Medium 1.01-3.00 20.78 11.66 42.40

Large 3.01-above 03.00 01.68 16.40

(Source: Department of Agricultural Extension & Ministry of Agriculture, 2004) Generally seed requirement is determined by multiplying land size and seed ratio. It is observed that dependency on commercial seed has increased over time. In 1995 total seed requirement was about 500000 MT [for rice (HYV 60%) about 180000 MT, wheat 96000 MT, Jute 4464 MT, pulses 25000 MT, oilseeds 8000 MT, potato 170000 MT and vegetables 1880 MT ] (MOA, Task Force Report, 1995). The Ministry of Agriculture estimated that seed requirement for 2005-2006 fiscal year was 932250 MT [rice 313955 MT, wheat 72000 MT, maize 3300 MT, jute 3570 MT, pulses 21350 MT, oilseeds 13500 MT, potato 400000 MT, vegetables 2700 MT ] (National seed conference and fair 2006). These figures suggest that seed requirement has increased and has nearly doubled over this decade. The Ministry of Agriculture still acknowledges that seed replacement rate is poor in Bangladesh comparative to other developed countries. Despite various attempts of the government and private sectors, farm saved seeds are still dominating in the agriculture of Bangladesh.

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Table 3 Demand and Supply of Seeds (2005-2006)

Total Supply (Tons) Crops Demand (Tons) BADC DAE BARI BJRI Private

companies & NGO

Total Per cent

Rice 313955 29970

(9.55%)

44344

(14.12%)

- - 3350

(Hybrid)

77664 24.74

Wheat 72000 12851

(17.85%)

44344

(8.33%0

200 - - 19051 26.46

Maize 3300 233

(7.06%)

- - - 3000 (Hybrid)

3233

97.97%

Total Cereal Crops

389255 43054 50344 200 0 6350 99948 25.68

Jute 3570 346 (9.69%)

- - 110 1350 1806 50.59

Pulse Seed

21350 245

(1.15%)

- - - - 245 1.15

Oil seed 13500 398

(2.95%)

- - - - 398 2.95%

Vegetable 2700 63

(2.33%)

- 0.2 - 728 791.20 29.30

Spices 101875 42

(0.04%)

65 107 0.11

Total: 142995 1094 0 0.2 110 2143 3347.20 2.34

Potato 400000 9231

(2.31%)

- - - 5000 14231 3.56

Total: 932250 53379 50344 200.2 110 13493 117536.2

12.61

Source: National Seed Conference and Fair, 2006.

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HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SEED TRADE IN BANGLADESH In assessing the history of seed supply and trade in Bangladesh it is necessary to look at public, NGO and private institutions. We will first address the role of the government in seed trade and evaluate the estimates of seed production in the market. As seed is the basis and living input for crop production for millennia, agriculture in this part of the world sustained on seeds of informal sector or otherwise known as farmers’ saved seeds. Still now almost all seeds of traditional varieties and around 90% of modern varieties (MV) are being supplied by this sector. SUPPLY OF SEEDS FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation ( BADC) Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation has been the only public sector seed marketing organization which supplies 90-95% quality seeds (BARC, 1990) of the formal sector. Public sector endeavor for production and marketing of seed had begun in 1954 with creation of 22 seed farms covering an area of 2200 ha. The first serious effort towards introducing modern inputs in agriculture began with the recommendations of Agriculture Commission, 1960. A public parastatal, the Agricultural Development Corporation was established in 1961, following the recommendations of the Commission. The BADC had virtual monopoly and command over the quality seed market. The same situation is still now prevailing except vegetables and hybrid seeds which are supplied mainly by the private sector. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Since 1997 Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has established a rice seed network called “Sustainable Rice Seed Network”. The network started with 1 member in 1997 and it stood to 38 in 2003. Head of Genetic Resources and Seed Division recently claimed that the number of network member is increased to 50. Purpose of the network is to ensure the continuous supply of breeder seed to the seed networks and improve the knowledge of all categories of seed producing agencies. In the recent past it was linked to a IRRI project called “Poverty Elimination through Rice Research Assistance (PETRRA)” and now presently with “Food Security for Sustainable Household Livelihoods (FoSOL)” project. In this “Sustainable Rice Seed Network” NGOs and others collect breeder seed from BRRI. They collect breeders’ seed and produce foundation seeds and then truthful leveled seed or certified seed. It is reported that some of the companies (like Syngenta) and NGOs (like BRAC, Grameen Krishi Foundation etc.) has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) to obtain breeders’ seed. Under the sustainable rice seed network BRRI supplied 3.8 ton of breeder seed to BADC, NGOs and private companies. The following table will provide the statistics of breeders seed collection by different organizations during 2001-2002 fiscal year.

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Table 4 Breeders’ seed (rice) received from BRRI and production of FS and TLS during 2001-2002 by different organization.

Breeder seed (BS) received

Production

Production

Organization

Varieties Quantity

(kg)

FS (ton) TLS ( ton)

Comments

BADC 27 720 BRAC 9 295 45.5 1064 Production of TLS

from previous FS Proshika 7 160 36 1530 Grameen Krishi Foundation

12 240 30.9 465

Syngenta 4 55 9 326 Padakhep 3 30 6.8 496 ABC 5 200 47.4 NA TLS production by

contract growers Alfa Agro Ltd. 3 80 6.1 250 AB Krishi Prokalpa

7 NA NA 51.5

Rahman Agro Farming

6 90 4 165

Duncan Products

4 97 25 NA

Shushilan 1 190 NA 28.5 TLS production directly from BS

Agroconcern 1 8 NA 1.2 “ Ramshankar seed

3 200 NA 30 “

Doel Trader 1 10 NA 1.5 “ AAS 2 25 NA 3.8 “

Uttara seeds 1 75 NA 11.3 “ Gur Pukur 5 50 NA 7.5 “ ISWA 4 30 NA 4.5 “ Uttaran 6 105 NA 15.8 “

Source: Report: Sustainable Rice Seed Network planning workshop (August 2003), BRRI.

NGO and Private Sector

Private seed companies are mostly importing and producing vegetable seeds. With the adoption of Seed Policy and simplification of import policy, private sector is now able to import wide range of varieties. They have also initiated in-house testing and evaluation of these varieties. Few companies have already started joint-venture activities to breed hybrids and open pollinated (OP) varieties in

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the private sector. Considering the implementation of National Policy, Government has undertaken a project titled “Seed industry development project” in 2001 with cost of Taka 2674.11 lakh (DANIDA supported) with a main aim to promote demand and improve production and dissemination of quality seed within public, private and informal segments of the national seed system. Multinational and national private companies including the largest NGO BRAC concentrated to expand seed marketing as a blind profitable business. Though there are not exact numbers of seed producers and marketing industries in Bangladesh is available. If we go back in early 80’s there were very seed companies located at Siddique Bazar and Green Road in Dhaka involved in seed marketing. But recently more than 100 multinational and national companies including NGOs are involved in seed producing, importing and marketing. Companies include the following are leading the seed marketing:

ACI Ltd., Ganges Seeds, Syngenta, MacDonald (Bangladesh), Supreme Seed Company, Blue Moon International Seed Producer, Inam Afroza, Metal Seed, Energy Pack-Agro Ltd., Getco Seeds, Getco Agro Vision Ltd., Northern Seed Ltd., Kishan Seed Int., Mallika Seeds Company, Supreme Seed Company, Aftab Bohumukhi Farm, BRAC, East West Seed Company, Tin Pata Quality Seed Ltd., Syngenta, National Seeds Co. Ltd., A. R. Malik Co. Pvt. Ltd., Sajeeb Seed etc. There are several multinational agribusiness companies that are not directly operating in Bangladesh but have marketing agents for their products in Bangladesh, for example marketing agents of Monsanto has been found to very active in the Bangladeshi farm land.

There are numerous seed traders operating their business and mostly are importing vegetable seeds. Names of few seed traders are given as annex-A. Perceiving the huge potential of seed marketing, a number of multinational, foreign seed producers and distributors have come forward and established joint venture companies and joint collaborations. Every year different kinds of seeds are imported from many countries of the world like India, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Holland, USA, Denmark etc. Besides, for production and marketing of HYV rice seed a few private

companies like Supreme Seed Company had taken initiative at its starting (the company is marketing hybrid Hira rice). The company was supported by GTZ and BADC. The Supreme Seed Company is no longer in HYV rice seed business. At that time (1997-98) few local companies were established for production and marketing of wheat and rice seeds; namely: 1) Bhola Farmers seed co ltd. 2) Gopalganj Pvt seed company ltd, 3) Kulaura farmers seed co. Ltd, 4) Nakla farmers seed co. Ltd., and 5) Naogaon seed co. Ltd. In our study area we also found a local seed company producing BRRIdhan-29 seed.

Figure 1: Advertisement of Monsanto seeds in rural areas can be seen

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Table-5: Joint venture, multinational and joint collaboration seed companies

Company name Collaborator Country of origin Joint Venture company East-West Seed Bangladesh Ltd Thailand Namdhari Malik Seeds Pvt. Ltd. India Multinationals Syngenta Monsanto Joint Collaboration McDonald Nath Sluice India ACI Pro-Agro India Mollika Heifai Fangel China Ganges Amar Sree India BRAC Pacific Philippines BRAC Haifai Fangel China Supreme Hubei China

Some local companies are working as sole agents or distributors of many other foreign companies. Recently, some other local companies have come forward for marketing seeds, such as, 1) Padma Oil Co., 2) Alfa Agro Ltd., 3) Aftab multi purpose farm. Apart from seed companies there are associations in seed sector. Associations differ as seed companies, growers and dealers. All the associations are member of National Seed Board. Associations play vital role in formulating policy to regulate seed business. Seed Merchants’ Association: This is a registered organization formed by the seed merchants who are mostly engaged in procuring seed from home and abroad and marketing. It is managed through an executive committee having a president and general secretary. This is the most influential active organization in the private sector dealing in seed. It has about 200 registered members. The association has a representative in the National Seed Board. Seedmen’s Society of Bangladesh: This organization was formed in March’93 to manage activities in the private sector taking representatives from different seed organizations. It has a representative in the National Seed Borad. Seed Growers’ Association: The seed growers association is not a registered organization, but is has representative in the National Seed Board. Bangladesh Seed Dealers’ Welfare Association: During 1996 and 1997 Seed Wing of the Ministry of Agriculture started registering private organization or individual who had been performing any sort of seed activities. These registered Seed Dealers formed an organization in the name Bangladesh Seed Dealers’ Welfare Association. Many members of this organization are also the member of the other private seed organizations.

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IDENTIFICATION OF GAPS: The history of growth and business of the private seed companies including the NGOs operating seed business are mainly on high value seeds of vegetables, jute, cotton, maize, potato etc. that offer considerable commercial prospects (have higher profit margin). These companies have no interest on high volume, relatively low value seeds of rice, wheat, pulses and oil seeds. For the low value and low profit margin crops in which private companies are not very interested, some NGOs such as Bangladesh Seed Foundation (BSF), Grameen Krishi Foundation (GKF), PROSHIKA and MCC are entering into the business. Two NGO’s (BRAC, GKF) and four companies, viz, ACI, Ganges Development Corporation (GDC), Mcdonald and Mollika Seed Company (MSC) have shown interest and currently importing and marketing seed in the country. Evidence supports that disasters help companies to flourish seed business in Bangladesh. As we have seen in the case of hybrid rice seed import after 1998 flood. But seed business by companies’ violets the ethics/principles of business. Let we have a look how companies are doing their business. According to a source in Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in 2005, the department distributed 1 metric ton of hybrid rice seed of a company free of cost and the agriculturists of DAE were compelled to praise the hybrid seed for acceptance by the farmers. During 2006 boro season that company sold 8 metric tons of hybrid seed in Sunamganj district alone. The company has made profit over 25 crore Taka in one year. This proved that making money from seed sector is very easy using government mechanism, elites, elected bodies and through advertising. However, the DAE source lamented saying that that hybrid is no longer productive than that of BRRI dhan 29 variety. Bangladesh has experienced series of disasters this year (floods and cyclone SIDR). Seed companies off course shall bring benefit of this. STATUS OF FARMERS AND SEED DISTRIBUTION IN FIELD AREA

It can be assumed that an integrated if not prioritized system of seed marketing exists within all districts. Therefore it is important to see the status of farmers (in terms of age, household size, education and farm holdings) in the field area to further establish the influence of public, private and NGO seed companies on farming communities in this study. Farmers access and control over seed is gradually been changing and shifting to company control. Field level information supports the changing agricultural practices with market supplied seed that threatens the food rights situation in the study villages. However the situation in the study area as found is described in the following, to understand the situation of farmers at grassroots level. Age composition of the farmers: Among the surveyed villages it was found that most of the farmers (46.44%) is below 40 years of age. If we compare the two areas that we had surveyed, number of young farmers was found higher in Gaibandha. This means that in Gaibandha people exercise farming as profession at younger age compared to other study area in Natore. But average age of the respondent farmers is almost similar in both the areas (Average age 45.51 at Natore and 45.3 at Gaibandha).

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Table: 6: Age group distribution of farmers (all farmers)

Age group All farmers Natore Gaibandha 20-25 3.73 4.00 26-30 13.22 14.48 15.33 31-35 12.54 13.10 12.00 36-40 16.95 17.24 16.67 41-45 9.83 12.41 7.33 46-50 14.24 13.79 14.67 51-55 8.47 10.34 6.67 56-60 10.17 6.90 13.33 60+ 10.85 11.72 10.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Household size and male female ratio: Male female ration is 88 female for 100 male for the farming households under survey; it is 81 female for Natore and 98 at Gaibandha. Average household size for Gaibandha and Natore are 5.54 and 5.67 respectively. Literacy level of the farmers: About one third (30.17%) farmers found illiterate, while 36.95% found have primary education. Graduate farmers were found in Natore. Table-7: Educational attainment of farmers

Educational attainment All farmers (%) Natore (%) Gaibandha (%)

Illiterate 30.17 31.72 28.67 Primary 36.95 34.48 39.33 High School 23.73 22.07 25.33 S.S.C 6.78 8.28 5.33 H.S.C 1.02 0.69 1.33 Graduate 1.36 2.76 100.00 100.00 100.00

Classification of farm households based on land holding There is a distinct difference in farm holdings in two areas. Landless (22.67%) and Marginal (37.33%) farmers are dominant in Gaibandha while medium farmers dominate farming households at Natore (49.66%). Average size of farmlands in Natore was found 394 decimal which is 203 decimal in Gaibandha. In Natore 109 farmers (75.17%) cultivate lands of their own only, 36 farmers (24.83%) cultivate in sharecrop lands along with their own lands. In Gaibandha 115 (76.67%) farmers cultivate own lands only. 25 farmers (16.67%) farmers cultivate both own and sharecrop lands. 10 farmers (6.67%) cultivate in sharecrop lands.

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Table-8: Type of farmers (based on land holding) Type of farmer Natore Gaibandha Landless farmer (0-49 Decimal) 3.45 22.67 Marginal farmer (0.5-1.49 acre) 15.17 37.33 Small farmer (1.50-2.49 acre) 22.07 18.67 Medium farmer (2.50-7.49 acre) 49.66 18.00 Large farmer (> 7.5 acre) 9.66 3.33 Total 100.00 100.00

Seed Distribution: Local Market Scenario

Seed is generally purchased form different market places for both the study areas. Farmers used to travel 8-15 kilometers or more for purchase of seed. There is also temporary and permanent seed shop in both the villages. In Kachugari village in Natore there are two permanent shops in the local village market. The shop owners claimed their yearly turn over is about 1.5 lac taka each. The seed shops in the Natore village are only two years old. Shop owners claimed that seed companies supplied to them seeds on credit. They used to pay the seed companies after selling their seeds to the farmers. The traders collect BADC supplied seeds from Meharpur and Rajshahi. The BADC has no sales centre or seed dealer in this village. There is a BADC seed dealer in the neighboring village Dharabarisha. But farmers of the study village can not collect seed from this BADC dealer. Private companies are providing more facilities to the seed shop owners. For this village private companies supply seeds from Rajshahi, Pabna and Bogra. The private companies provide transportation and miscellaneous expenses, commission and other facilities to the seed shops. It is reported by the seed shop owners the private companies allow them to entertain farmers while they visit their shops to purchase seeds.

Representatives from the private companies also visit the farmers and arrange meetings with the farmers. Almost same scenario was observed in other study village at Gaibandha. There is a wide range of variation found in the same seeds for different origin/companies. For example a 10 kg rice seed bag of BRRIdhan-29 is sold for 230 taka. The BADC seed is sold to the farmers at higher price, sometimes 400 taka. (According to the local people BADC supplied only 600 kg of BRRIdhan-29 seed for the Jonail union, from this only 100 kilogram is for Kachugari village). The same variety from Supreme Seed is sold 100 taka per kg, Aftab Seed Company have different price ranges for the same BRRIdhan-29. Aftab has a 2 kg packet (120 taka), 12 kg packet (440 taka) and 10 kg packet (330 taka). Hybrid seeds are costly. Generally a kilogram of hybrid rice seed is sold ranging from 180—220 taka. Private seed companies supply hybrid rice seeds. Seed trade of major crops is associated with fertilizer and chemicals. The permanent shops are seen trading both chemicals and seeds in the same shop.

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Fig-3: Location of seed markets centering Kachugari village of Natore.

Temporary seed shops are often found in the villages, in the local bazaar. Temporary seed shops mostly sale vegetable seeds. These vegetable seeds are mostly hybrid seeds, but local seeds are also found in these shops. Hybrid or open pollinated vegetable seeds are collected from different companies like Laltir, Namdhari, Unitech etc. or imported seeds from Japan, Korea and many other countries. Village based seed retailers collect seed from shops in the trade centers (upazila or district level).

NGOs are found involved in seed business in the study villages. BRAC directly involved with seed business, it sales hybrid rice and maize. Other NGOs in the study area like ASA, Grameen Bank, GUK is not involved with seed trade.

Fig-4: Location of seed markets centering Zigabari village of Gaibandha.

Kachugarid village

Jonail (8 km) Boraigram (12 km)

Bonpara (18 km)

Chachkori (13 km)

Chatmohor (15 km)

Sanandabari (6 km)

Fulchari (25 km)

Gaibandha (25 km)

Gijabari

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From the above data on farmer households and communities alongwith the different sources of seed supply we can formulate a marketing chain. The objective of the marketing chain will be to link local field level seed demand with their corresponding large scale seed supplying actors and associated institutions. The following chapter will address the marketing chain of seed distribution in more detail.

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CHAPTER 3 SEED AGRIBUSINESS CHAIN

“Marketing is a systematic procedure through which a product is offered to the consumer or buyer.” A functional marketing system can be termed as business chain. The arena and perspective of seed marketing is different, because seed is a living product. On the other hand, seed business can be termed as business with life. Therefore some important aspects like variety, germination, storage, longevity etc. are to be considered for seed marketing. The most important are the demand assessment and supply at the right time. It is sometimes reporting by the farmers’ poor germination of purchased seeds. For example in our country Jute seed is mostly imported from India, importers import huge bulk of jute seeds which may not be used for that season, repacked and sold to the farmers in the next season for their profit. Germination rate of this type of seeds must be poor. As a result the farmers using the seeds can not have good harvest. ANALYSIS OF SEED AGRIBUSINESS CHAIN Like the marketing of consumable articles, there exists a very strong marketing network having wholesaling and retailing outlets, handed by the private seed businessmen. They have wholesale shops at Siddique Bazar in Dhaka. Retailers or small wholesalers collect seed from this market. During late nineties there were about 4000 seed shops in different market places of the country who were retailing seed of different companies and of the wholesale markets. Sensing the profitability in using seed as commodity for business, seed traders started coming in the picture may be in forties although there were trade using jute seed from time beyond. During mid fifties intervention from the public sector has started with the establishment of 23 seed multiplication farms which are still in operation. With time, organization both in the private and public sectors grew up in the form of seed trading company in the private sectors and corporation and regulatory bodies in public sector. When SEED POLICY was adopted in 1993 private sector activities got impetus and seed associations were established, and NGOs started taking part in the seed system management. Since the Seed Policy is formulated lots of activities have been performed by different players to have more share in the seed trade of Bangladesh. The devastating floods of 1998 and 2004 also provided chances for the private seed companies to take big share in seed sector. This ultimately brought fundamental change in agriculture of our country. Public sector seed enterprise (BADC), the supplier of major seeds of important crops such as rice, wheat, jute, potato, oilseeds and pulses shrunk its activity by phasing out 367 outlets all over Bangladesh. BADC is now maintaining only 100 sale outlets at 78 selected upazilas and 22 regional sale centres. At the same time BADC had developed its own dealers network all over the country. After the new SEED POLICY is formulated the results had shown tremendous growth in the private sector. In the next five years of SEED POLICY a comparison between public and private sector development and promotion found public sector organizations released 28 varieties of different vegetables, during the same period private seed companies registered 40 varieties. During this period public sector released 10 HYV varieties of rice, 2 varieties of maize, 2 varieties of wheat, 4 varieties of jute and 2 true potato seed varieties. On the other hand private seed companies

21

registered 4 hybrid of rice and 7 hybrid of maize. 13 varieties of pulses and 2 varieties of oilseeds were registered by public sector. Private sector registered 3 varieties of oilseed (Sunflower). It was observed that private sector has not shown any interest in the release of any wheat, non-hybrid rice and jute varieties. Considerably large number of vegetable varieties was registered by the private seed companies (Proceedings: National Seminar on Seed Industry Development, September 8-9, 1999). Types Of Seed Marketing Systems There are three types of marketing systems exists in the seed sector of our country. Despite commercialization of agriculture still major amount of seeds are farm saved seed. Firstly, farmers are the source of seed production and availability. Fulfilling their own demand, farmers are generally producing and preserving more seeds which they sale in the local market during the season. Crop producing farmers are buying seeds directly from seed producing farmers. Secondly, local seed traders are buying locally produced seed from the farmers and are selling the seed locally. The third system can be divided into two systems. One depend on import and other depend on local production. In the import based system of marketing distributors/importers are importing seeds directly from foreign countries and making available to the farmers or seed users through whole-sellers and retailers. In the local production based system of marketing distributors/marketing organizations are producing seeds through contract farmers or procuring seeds from the reliable seed producers of selected areas, and after cleaning, grading and processing preserving in seed stores. These seed are made available to the farmers through whole sellers and retailers.

FARMER FARMER

Locally produced seed

Local shops

Farmers/ Consumers

22

Farmers usually collect seeds from various different sources. The intention is to try to get as good a quality of seed as possible for better yield. It has been observed in the field areas that farmers are prone towards cash crops. Immediate gains from maize, onion and other crops have resulted in some farmers making large profits which set farming communities into thinking outside sustainable agriculture towards a more income generating agriculture practice. Furthermore, present development in communication technologies especially, availability of mobile phones, advertisement in the mass media influencing farmers to collect seeds from various sources. It has been observed (both in Natore and Gaibandha) farmers are not an exception to this influence. It has also been reported that some factors influence farmers to use seed from unknown sources (such as the landowners who dominate the choice of variety; NGOs are supplying seeds in the form of credit). The release of new varieties and advertisement plays great role to select seeds found in both of the study areas.

Import

Local production

Contract farmers

Seed Marketing

Wholesalers

Retailers

Farmers/Consumers

23

Fig-8: Farmers seed network in the study areas

ACTORS/STAKEHOLDERS IN SEED MARKETING CHAIN NGOs like BRAC, PROSHIKA, GKF, RDRS involve organized group members in the production and marketing of seed. In most cases micro-credit is linked with seed trade. Also NGOs are now a day selling their seeds through wholesalers and retailers involved in seed business. Small local NGOs are linked with the large NGOs like BRAC and promote seeds. Unlike other trade seed traders also have coterie or market control system, through which they control market and price of the product. There exists three systems, 1) Syndication: some imported varieties are being imported through syndicate and prices are fixed on the basis of understanding before marketing, 2) Foreign companies market their selected varieties in the country through two or more agents and 3) Companies market seeds of a developed variety in different brand names through two or more agents. Recently private commercial banks are also involved with the seed

District town

Money lender

Land owner

BADC

Other areas

NGO

Dealer

Shop/market

Farmers

(Gaibandha, Natore)

24

business chain. Such an example is the maize cultivation in the Lalmonirhat district. Here in the district contract maize farming using hybrid seeds is financially supported by NCC Bank Ltd. Seed is now a market of competition. Seed companies particularly the private sector have spent large sums of money in the promotional activities of their products. Companies use quality posters, catalogues and leaflets and distribute them to attract farmers to inform the characteristics of seeds. Large billboards, banners is now commonly visible. Private companies are spending in advertisement in newspapers, radio and television networks. It has been observed that promotion of private seed companies (eg; KATALYST,a Swiss Organization supported by multi donors) have been supported by international donors ( IIFC, SEDF, DFID, NORAD, CIDA, ADB, World Bank) in order to expand their business

Government has recently registered private seed dealers. As per sources available at the Director of Registered Seed Dealers of the Ministry of Agriculture, there are around 3124 registered seed dealers in Bangladesh for seed trading (please see Annex-B). The highest number of seed dealers in Dhaka (291) and the lowest number of seed dealers in Bagerhat (2). Besides this, local branch offices of BRAC also sale and provide seed and other commodities. They are not included in the seed directory as registered dealer. Other NGOs like TMSS, Proshika, Padakkhep, Shushilan, BURO etc. also involved in seed marketing as part of their micro credit programme but are not included in the seed traders list. Besides this list, most of the large seed companies have their regional offices and seed dealers. In general Bangladesh seed marketing system includes seed producers (both contact growers and companies) along with various infrastructural support mechanisms such as transport, storage and distribution centers. The overall seed marketing mechanism is built to cater to all farming levels. Companies use dealer network and distributors to market their seeds. Companies have production farms or contract growers in different regions of the country to have wide coverage. These companies also have storage facilities. To monitor sales there are marketing offices. An examples of such a company may include- A R Malik and Co. Ltd. This company has its head office at Dhaka from where it coordinates its seed business. The company has only one seed production farm but has four seed storage facilities in four different regions. A R Malik & Co. has five marketing offices and a total of 31 distributors countrywide. The company has a distributor in our study district Natore but has no distributor or marketing office or storage in Gaibandha (see figure-9).

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Fig 3: An example of Seed Marketing Network of a Seed Company:

Cited from Farmers Training Manual of A.R. Malik & Co. Ltd, Dhaka, published in June 2007, with support from KATALYST.

26

.

CHAPTER 4 TRENDS OF SEED AGRIBUSINESS AND FARMERS’ FOOD RIGHTS

TRENDS IN SEED COMMERCIALIZATION (1960’S -1993)

Seed commercialization process started in early 60’s after the establishment of the East Pakistan Agricultural Development Corporation (EPADC) in 1963 with a view to supply quality seeds to farmers. EPADC established several seed multiplication farms in different part of the country. But EPADC did not receive farmers’ response positively. Farmers were used to their own seeds or had to collect seeds from local markets or barter with other farmers’. After liberation in 1976, BADC initiated two new seed (rice & wheat) technology project with support from IDA and Germany with a view to producing seeds through seed multiplication farms, contact farmers, set up of seed preservation & storage, modernization of seed preservation and seed marketing. Government declared ‘seed ordinance’ in 1977 to control over selected varieties of seed marketing. Later Government also declared “National Seed Policy” in 1993. Commercialization process was given priority in the national seed policy. OBJECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL SEED POLICY 1993 The objectives of the National Seed Policy are to ensure supply of high quality seed of developed varieties to farmers for production, increase productivity and per-capita income of farmer and increase the income form export. Earning foreign currency is one of the prime concern of the policy, so crops which have demands abroad gained importance over natural crop diversity prevailing in the country. The Policy pledges to supply high quality seed of developed varieties to farmers. LIMITATIONS OF THE NATIONAL SEED POLICY 1993 Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh declared National Seed Policy by a gazette notification on 25 January in 1993. Before then National Seed Ordinance 1977, Seed Law (Amendment) 1997, National Seed Rules have been passed. National Seed Policy did not consider the diversity of different area/regions, seed and biodiversity. It has not given proper attention to local culture and practices as well as farmers rights and seed security. The seed and seed diversity of indigenous farmers of Bangladesh have also been ignored in the policy. The Policy has given emphasis on strengthening the base of 5 cereal crops only. As a result it hasn’t been possible to ensure, evaluate or conserve the diversify of all crops and biodiversity of the country. The policy has not considered the importance of biodiversity, local/indigenous knowledge of farmers and indigenous community’s long history of seed conservation and sustainable livelihoods. On the contrary it has given priority for privatization of seed. In this policy there is no specific and effective instructions regarding seed quarantine. The National Seed Policy has also avoided the issue of (information and instruction) hybrid and GMO crops. It is not possible to ensure farmers seed rights and resist the inertest of different international treaties and monopoly business of multinational companies effectively through the policy. According to the agro-ecological difference/distinction, Bangladesh has been divided in 30 agro-ecological zones (AEZ), 80 Sub-AEZ and 535 agro-ecological units.

27

The policy has not considered all of the AEZs. Seed diversity and differences of regions and areas have not been recognized any where in the Article-11 of the Policy. Biodiversity of different geographical regions including Haor and Beel area, Saline prone area, Flood plain, Upland, flood and drought prone area have also not been reflected in the policy. The policy also lacks relevance in regard to regional and area specific crops varieties. BANGLADESH AGRICULTURE AND SEED CRISIS Statistically agricultural production has risen 2.5 times higher since the independence of the country and it is ahead of population increase by this time. Now the question is why the country is importing 2 million ton of food grain every year and where this imported food are consumed when the farmers are eating up rice seed and other crop seeds to meet up their food requirement. Those who define seed security and seed crisis only on storage of seeds in the government storage and in the seed traders shops usually bypass farmer’s seed security. It is estimated that Bangladesh is producing more than 25 million ton of rice and more than 10 million hectare land area is now under rice cultivation. Present demand of rice seed is about 0.8 million ton. Though about 94% seed used in rice cultivation is done by farmers saved seed, it can not be claimed that farmers seed security is ensured. Farmers loosed own seed and agricultural diversity that they had maintained for thousand years by adopting HYV and hybrid seeds. Situation of vegetable cultivation is frustrating. Estimated demand of vegetable seeds is about 4 thousand tons, of which 75% is imported from foreign countries. Most of the vegetable seeds are hybrid. It may be claimed by someone that some vegetable seeds can not be produced in Bangladesh due to climatic condition or quality of seeds may not be good. However, by cultivating hybrid vegetable seeds we are ignoring the rich diversity of our local vegetable and thus increasing the market of seed companies. Bangladesh has been able to increase introduced HYV rice area from 11% in 1970 to 62% in 2000 but at the same time we have not considered the loss of biodiversity. The value of biodiversity is not considered and how the livelihood of many primary resources users have been threatened by adoption of introduced varieties can not be counted. Here in Bangladesh, where uncultivated foods are a prime nutrition source of poor people is also been endangered, thus hampering the food security of poor people. Seed crisis is reported regularly by the newspapers and now it became a common problem for the nation. Farmers demand is to get required quantity of quality seed at right moment and at fair price. It was in the year 2004, villages of Chandipur, Badoghata, Devepur, Jadabpur in Shyamnagar under Satkhira district were observed to lose rice seedlings from their seed beds. Farmers in the villages started to guard their seed beds. Scarcity of seeds forced people to steal seedlings from others fields. These circumstance were the consequence of modernization of agriculture and indifferent promotion of agribusiness. Seed crisis has been claimed to be location specific but this is not true for all the regions. In some occasions farmers have been blamed for eating seeds; climatic factors have also been blamed for poor germination. . Few selected newspaper report headlines are given below to understand the seed crisis situation.

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TABLE 9: Newspaper Headings on various seed related issues (by date and title) Headline (1998 – 2004) Newspaper Published date Vegetable Seed Crisis The Daily Jugantar 11/01/04 Target will not be achieved for potato production due to unfavorable Climate, seed and financial crisis

The Daily Ittafaq 25/12/.3

Farmers in Rangpur region suffering from high price of seed and impure fertilizer: low quality seed packed in BADC bags, SSP fertilizer is mixed with TSP

Prothom Alo 28/12/03

Low quality seed: Farmers suffering The Daily Ittefaq 27/12/03 Farmers in Damurhuda will cultivate boro rice by Indian seeds

The Daily Janakantha 30/12/03

Bogra Farmers are in danger from seed: yield may decrease by 50%

Ajkar Kagoj 17/12/03

Seed Crisis for Rabi crops The Daily Jugantar 24/12/03 High price and non-availability : Farmers cry for potato, onion, wheat seeds in Rajshahi


Boro seed crisis: Police take position in sales centres


Vegetable seed crisis in various places The Daily Ittefaq 29/10/02 Middlemen dominate markets, farmers in anxiety. Seed crisis hinders Boro cultivation in Moulvibazar

The Daily Observer 30/10/02

Police take position in sales centre: Boro seed crisis in Gazipur

Ajkar Kagoj 31/10/02

Boro seed crisis in Manikganj Sangbad 31/10/02 Boro seed crisis in Chalan beel; farmers are in danger

The Daily Ittefaq 05/12/01

Seed shortage likely to hamper boro farming The Daily Observer 09/12/01 Seed crisis in Habiganj: Prothom Alo 11/11/01 Seed crisis in Sunamganj Vorar Kagoj 27/11/01 Cheating and trap in seed business The Daily Ittefaq 06/10/01 Low quality seed: farmers cheated in SW The Daily Janakantha 04/10/01 Seed scarcity may hit boro, winter crops hard The Daily Star 08/11/2000 Severe Boro seed crisis in Bogra: high price, BADC seeds are sold in black market


Seed crisis: Potato production may hamper in Rajshahi


No seed in BADC: severe seed crisis in Magura and Narail


Maskalai in disaster at Badarganj Matribhumi 18/12/2000 70 tons supplied but 1400 tons needed; seed scarcity hits boro cultivation in Magura

The Daily Observer 25/12/2000

Seed crisis hampaers ground nut cultivation in Jamuna Char

Sangbad 15/01/99

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Target 51 thousand hectare; seed and irrigation crisis may hamper boro cultivation in Gazipur


Severe crisis of vegetable seeds in Lalmonirhat Muktakantha 05/11/98 Seed crisis hampers Rabi crop in Tangail The Daily Ittefaq 28/11/98 No wheat seed in BADC sales centres in Dinajpur Muktakantha 25/11/98 Onion seed crisis in Faridpur: Seed sold at taka 2000 which actual price is taka 400


Severe seed crisis in Kaliganj: Farmers are in misery for Rabi season


Seed crisis everywhere: uncertainty in achieving crop production target

Muktakantha 30/11/98

Seed crisis in Manikganj: May hamper Rabi crop production

Vorar Kagoj 27/11/98

The above newspaper reports from 1998-2004 is an example of seed crisis. But the crisis still exists if we see newspaper reports after 2004. Here are some example of recent newspaper reports on seed crisis, that tells us seed crisis is not end. TABLE 10: Newspaper Headings on various seed related issues (by date and title) Headline (2007) Newspaper Published date Potato and chili cultivation disrupted in Kaliganj due to seed crisis

The Daily Sangbad 29/09/07

Severe crisis of winter vegetable crops seed in Gafargaon: Farmers at a lost


We don’t want relief: we want guarantee of seed and fertilizer


T. Aman cultivation started: farmers at a lost due to seed crisis


Potato and chili farmers in Shariatpur demanded guarantee of seed and fertilizer, they do not want relief.


High price of seed after flood, farmers in Narsingi are in danger


Sirajganj farmers face seedlings, fertilizer crises The Daily Star 05/09/07 Farmers started Aman cultivation: severe scarcity of seedling


Seed crisis in Kotiadi: Aman cultivation in peril The Daily Sangbad 22/08/07 Seed crisis likely to affect cultivation NewAge 28/08/07 Aman seedling price increased three fold in Chalanbeel and Shailkupa


Farmers are crying for seed and seedling: Stock is only 10-25% of requirement

Samokal 22/08/07

Farmers in Kalmakanda are anxious about T.Aman seedling

Prothol Alo 17/08/07

Manage some seeds for us, if you can Samokal 29/08/07 Severe crisis of Aman seed in Barura (Comilla) Sangbad 09/08/07 Seed crisis at different places in the beginning of Prothom Alo 31/10/07

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boro season: Farmers are worried. Farmers are not getting government supplied seeds at real price in Nasirnagar

Samokal 30/10/07

4 Farmers injured in police action NewAge 29/10/07 Severe crisis of Boro seed in Barura (Comilla) Sangbad 31/10/07

Seed tragedy: Maize crop failure in Lalmonirhat (2006): Thousands of farmers in three upazilas of Lalmonirhat district became penniless. These farmers cultivated maize using hybrid seeds supplied by different renowned seed companies and NGOs. These farmers could not harvest any crop. It is estimated that about 25 thousand

farmers have lost their capital and have been indebted. These farmers’ families are suffering as they had been dependent on maize crop for their existence. Agriculture department estimated amount of loss about 50 million taka. A high powered investigation committee was commissioned by the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The committee reported that the disaster happened because seed companies and NGOs sold low quality maize seeds as hybrid seeds. The companies and NGOs bribed the deputy director of Agricultural Extension of Lalmonirhat district to have the approval of their low quality seeds as hybrid (The Daily Sangbad, 26 June 2006). The incident happened in last year (2006), but till today there is no legal action taken by the government against the culprits or compensation to the farmers reported by those companies or NGOs.

TREND ANALYSIS OF SEED AGRIBUSINESS IN THE FIELD AREAS Trend of seed agribusiness and related livelihood changes was observed at our study areas in two villages in Gaibandha and Natore. The information gathered from field indicated the change of livelihood and food rights situation in the changing seed business. Crops are changed, food is also changed. Cropping pattern changed over time. In Gaibandha people used to cultivate pulses particularly Khasari (a variety of pulse) in their lands. Local poor people used to cook these pulses with rice. They claimed this way they can have food without any supplementary dish. As they had stopped or reduced cultivation of Khasari, price of Khasari goes up and now they can not even purchase Khasari. Commercialization of agriculture even reduced diversity in the agricultural fields and farmers food habit. Food dependency increased on market reported the farmers in our two study areas. This dependency increased not only on food but the main basis of agriculture i.e., seed they claimed. In Natore village, most of the farmers are interested in the cultivation of maize due to its high profitability. Though maize cultivation is profitable but it is very much input oriented and high amount of financial support is required. Landless and marginal farmers can not cultivate this type of capital intensive crops. Furthermore, introduction of maize threatened other crops like wheat and

Figure 5: Amzad Hossain a farmer victim of hybrid maize crop failure in Lalmonirhat

31

millet. Maize captured the lands previously cultivated with wheat and millet in the Natore village. In the same Natore village it is reveled that rice cultivation in the Boro season is decreasing day by day as farmers are cultivating garlic in the Boro rice fields. Consequently, market dependency for staple food increased in this village. PREVALAENT SCENARIOS AT LOCAL AND GRASSROOT LEVELS: CROP PREFERRENCE AND NATURE OF PRODUCTION Farmers access and control over seed is gradually been changing and shifting to company control. Field level information supports the changing agricultural practices with market supplied seed that threats the food rights situation in the study villages. However the situation in the study area as found is described in the following, to understand the situation of farmers at grassroots level. Henceforth it is imperative to realize the current practices of farmers. In this light- ‘what a farmer decides to grow’ is the most crucial decision affecting the seed marketing system. In the following subsection we will address the issue of seed selection, preference, problems and other relevant issues pertaining in the local level. CROP PREFERENCE IN THE FIELD AREAS Garlic is the most common crop cultivated by 74.48% farmers in Natore. It is the major crop next to rice at this location. Among 150 farmers 135 cultivated rice in Boro season. Garlic was cultivated by 108 farmers. Vegetable cultivation is most common in Gaibandha (108 farmers cultivated different kind of vegetables like bringle, radish, ladies finger etc.). Vegetable is cultivated mostly by using hybrid seeds. Different types of spices are cultivated by the Gaibandha farmers including Dhania, Mistisaj etc. It is evident that a portion of the farmers do not cultivate rice, they prefer other crops. It proves that the farmers are now producing commercially important crops.

Table-11: Crop preferences of farmers (other than rice) in Natore

Crop (other than rice) No of farmers cultivate % of farmers Garlic 108 74.48 Onion 63 43.45 Wheat 63 43.45 Jute 53 36.55 Potato 31 21.38 Oil seeds 17 11.72 Pulses 16 11.03 Vegetables 9 6.21 Tobacco 2 1.38 Maize 1 0.69

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Table-11: Crop preference for rice in Natore

Rice season No of farmer % of farmer Aus 10 6.90 Aman 125 86.21 Boro 135 93.10

Table-12: Crop preferences of farmers (other than rice) in Gaibandha

Crop (other than rice) No of farmers cultivate % of farmers Vegetable 108 72.00 Spices 102 68.00 Pulses 90 60.00 Jute 82 54.67 Oil seed 49 32.67 Maize 27 18.00 China* 8 5.33 Wheat 8 5.33 Potato 7 4.67 Millet 5 3.33

*A kind of gray color food crop kike mustard seed (similar to millet)

Table-13: Crop preference for rice in Gaibandha Rice season No of farmer % of farmer Aman 126 84.00 Boro 81 54.00

Seed sources: Rice being the staple source of carbohydrate is thus significant to the overall agricultural trend in the country: Rice is cultivated by Natore farmers in three consecutive rice seasons while it is two seasons for Gaibandha. There is no Aus rice cultivated in Gaibandha. In Natore for Aus season 70% seed supplied by the farmers themselves and only 10% is collected from market. Aman is the season farmers the highest amount of seed is used form their own stock, it is 78.40% and 52.38% respectively for Natore and Gaibandha. Boro is the season when farmers mostly depend on market or BADC seeds Similiarly other cereal crops such as-. Wheat: In Gaibandha 100% seed is collected from the market. But farmers used a small portion (9.52%) of farm saved seed at Natore; Maize: Maize seed is collected from market or BADC. Farmers reported no use of farm saved seed in both the areas. Field surveys have revealed that no farm saved seed use of Jute has been reported. Therefore it can be assumed that the source of Jute seeds is completely procured from companies and the markets and are not available in farming households naturally. Farmers in Natore have reported that they use a small portion (16.13%) of seed from their own. In Gaibandha 100% potato seed is collected from market, Pulses: Different types of pulses are cultivated. For Natore farmers 56.25% use farm saved seed, it is 31.11% in Gaibandha, Oil Seeds:

33

Farmers in Natore use 70.59% farm saved seed, while it is only 10.20% in Gaibandha. In Natore there is also non-conventional oil seeds cultivation reported i.e., safflower (Kusum oil). In the case of Vegetables in both the areas more that 85% vegetable seed had been collected from the market. A small amount of farm saved seed has been observed to be used; Gaibandha 3.61% and, Natore 11.11% respectively. In both the areas major spices are onion and garlic. also It had been observed that some other non-conventional spices had been cultivated by the farmers like Mistisaj. In the case of onion 100% seed had been collected from the market, while for garlic a major portion had been farm saved seed. In Gaibandha minor cereal crops are found cultivated by the farmers these are millet and china (like millet). Farmers use own saved seed for these minor cereal crops.

Table-14: Crop wise seed source in Natore (other than rice) Seed Source (% of farmers)

Crop Own Neighbor Market BADC NGO Jute 90.57 7.55 Oil Seeds 70.59 35.29 Spices (Onion) 100.00 Spices (Garlic) 43.52 1.94 66.99 0.97 0.97 Potato 16.13 0.00 74.19 9.68 6.45 Pulses 56.25 18.75 25.00 Tobacco 100.00 Vegetable 11.11 33.33 88.89 Wheat 9.52 3.17 41.27 46.03 Maize 100.00 Note: % based on the total number of farmer cultivating the particular crop.

Table-15: Crop wise seed source in Gaibandha (other than rice)

Crop Seed Source (% of farmers) Own Neighbor Market BADC NGO Minor cereal crop (China*) 87.50 37.50 Minor cereal crop (Millet) 80.00 20.00 Ground nut 15.91 84.09 Jute 98.78 1.22 Maize 92.59 11.11 Oil seeds 10.20 91.84 Pulses 31.11 70.00 Spices 16.76 0.56 84.36 0.56 Potato 100.00 Vegetable 3.61 2.71 86.14 1.81 14.76 Wheat 100.00

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Table-16: Seed source for rice in both the areas

Natore Gaibandha Seed Source (% of farmers) Seed Source (% of farmers)

Rice Season Own

Neighbor

Market

BADC

NGO Own

Neighbor

Market BADC NGO

Aus 70.00 20.00 10.00 0.00 0.00 Aman 78.40 10.40 27.20 0.80 0.00 52.38 2.38 65.08 3.97 0.00 Boro 11.85 1.48 3.70 93.33 4.44 32.10 0.00 69.14 28.40 0.00

SEED RELATED PROBLEMS For cereals the problems related to seed are: For Aus rice seed in Natore yield and storage is reported the most common problem. The same problem is also reported for Aman and Boro rice. High price is attributed as the major problem for Boro rice seeds. High price, yield and storage were reported as major problems for wheat seeds. But the two areas differ in the problems encountered in the case of Maize, it has been observed to be cultivated in Gaibandha. High price of seed is the major problem reported by the farmers. Jute faces infrastructural problems, as Seed storage and yield are the major problem in Natore while high price is reported the number one problem at Gaibandha. Storage and yield are the two major problems for potato seeds in Natore. High price is the only problem reported the farmers in Gaibandha High price is the major seed related problem identified by the farmers in Gaibandha for Pulses. Mixture and yield are the major problems in Natore. Yield and mixture were identified as major problem for Oil Seeds in Natore. High prices of oil seeds is the single major problem in Gaibandha.

Problems In Seed : Vegetables, Spices

In case of vegetables; storage, yield and high price is reported as major problem of vegetable seeds in Natore. While high price and storage identified by the farmers in Gaibandha. For spices; High price of seed is major problem in both the areas. Mixture and low germination is also common problems identified for both the areas. In other cases minor cereal crops such as Millet, and other varieties of local crops have not reported any problems relating to seeds. In these cases the seed cultivation and distribution still prevail at the household level and have not been dominated by the marketing companies and other external sources of seed.

35

Table-17: Problem encountered for rice Natore Gaibandha Problem encountered (% of farmers) Problem encountered (% of farmers)

Rice Season M

ixtu

re

Ger

min

ation

Hig

h

price

Non

avi

la

Yie

ld

Sto

rage

Mix

ture

Ger

min

ation

Hig

h

price

Non

avi

la

Yie

ld

Sto

rage

Aus 30.00

10.00

30.00

10.00

70.00

70.00

Aman 30.40 8.80

28.80

11.20

84.00

81.60 0.00 7.14

26.19 3.17

15.08 1.59

Boro 31.11

11.85

91.11

32.59

31.85

89.63 0.00 2.47

39.51 1.23 0.00 2.47

Note: % based on the total number of farmer cultivating the particular crop.

Table-18: Problem encountered for crops (other than rice) in Natore Problem encountered (% of farmers)

Crop Mixture Germination High price

Non avilability Yield Storage

Jute 5.66 26.42 71.70 22.64 77.36 90.57 Oil Seeds 35.29 11.76 29.41 11.76 70.59 23.53 Spices (Onion) 34.92 39.68 80.95 28.57 79.37 74.60 Spices (Garlic) 32.04 10.68 57.28 30.10 33.98 24.27 Potato 6.45 58.06 61.29 22.58 74.19 80.65 Pulses 56.25 31.25 6.25 62.5 31.25 Tobacco 50.00 100.00 100.00 Vegetable 11.11 44.44 44.44 55.56 Wheat 23.81 19.05 74.60 26.98 47.62 90.48 Maize 100.00 100.00 100.00

Table-19: Problem encountered for crops (other than rice) in Gaibandha Problem encountered (% of farmers)

Crop Mixture Germination High price

Non avila Yield Storage

Minor cereal crop (China*) Minor cereal crop (Millet) Ground nut 43.18 61.36 0.00 Jute 1.22 97.56 30.49 3.66 Maize 85.19 3.70 18.52 Oil seeds 4.08 87.76 2.04 2.04 Pulses 4.44 34.44 0.00 2.22 0.00 Spices 5.03 26.82 62.01 3.35 0.56 0.56 Potato 28.57 Vegetable 0.30 4.52 35.54 0.60 0.30 16.57 Wheat 11.11 100.00 88.89 44.44

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TRENDS IN SEED DEMAND, ITS SOURCE AND PRICE Gaibandha farmers reported that they are totally dependent on the market for vegetable seeds, onion, wheat and maize. There was no commercial vegetable cultivation in this area two years back. Due to interventions of some NGOs hybrid vegetable seeds were introduced in the area. Since the last two years farmers are producing vegetable with hybrid varieties commercially. Farmers are to pay high price for vegetable seeds. For example radish seeds are sold in the market 400 per kilogram; it is 200 taka for bean and brinjal (Begun). Maize was introduced in 2005. Farmers of this area reported that they came to know the profit of maize cultivation from the dealers while they went to Gaibandha for the collection of rice seeds and fertilizers. Since then they started cultivation of maize with hybrid seeds. Now they are paying 110 Taka per kilogram of maize seeds. Before maize cultivation they used to cultivate wheat in their fields. They viewed that as the wheat seeds became unavailable along with the decreased production rate made them dependent on maize cultivation instead of wheat production. HYV rice cultivation started in this Gaibandha village since last ten years. Being a char area the introduction of HYV rice seems late than other areas of the country. The areas major crop is onion. Onion seeds are always collected from the market by the farmers. The farmers in the area informed that onion seed was 600 taka per kilogram in the year 2004. The next year price of onion seed increased to 1200 Taka. In current year it is purchased by the farmers at Taka 2000 per kilogram. Seed price is increasing day by day reported the farmers in Natore village. Thirty years ago in Natore village price of Aus seed was 3 taka per kilogram. Now it is 16 taka per kilogram. Price of Jute seed increased five times in last thirty years, garlic seeds price increased 12 times. In the research village onion and garlic seed demand show increasing trend. Decreasing trend is observed for Aus rice seed and HYV Boro seed.

Table 20 : Trend of seed prices (Taka) for major crops (other than rice) in Natore

Crop / Years 30 years back

20 years back

10 years back

5 years back This year

Jute 31 140 73 106 150

Onion 131 332 601 822 1001

Garlic 5 15 36 85 60

Wheat 3 10 13 18 25

Table- 21: Trend of seed prices (Taka) for rice crops in Natore

Rice Season / Years 30 years back

20 years back

10 years back


Aman 3 6 9 12 16

Aus 2 5 8 11 16

Boro (HYV) 9 6 12 66 87

Boro (Hybrid) 162 197

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Table-22: Average demand (Kg) of seed for major crops (other than rice)

Crop / Years 30 years back

20 years back

10 years back


Jute 3 1 2 2 2

Onion 34 25 25 34 38

Garlic 12 17 45 97 162

Wheat 30 30 17 14 13 It has been observed that average demand for seed of various different crops have changed considerably. In the case of Jute the demand 30 years ago has fallen in recent times. Onion and garlic has reached much greater demand over the years (great significance in cooking) increase in population, garlic has been seen to have increased demand by several fold since the past thirty years. Wheat has been observed to decrease in demand since the past 30 years.

Table -25: Average demand (Kg) of seed for rice crop

Rice Season / Years 30 years back

20 years back

10 years back


Aman 147 96 73 68 68

Aus 45 18 11 10 8

Boro (HYV) 27 45 44 31 31

Boro (Hybrid) 6 5 In the above table it can be observed that in the last five years there have been considerable changes reflected in the demand for rice. Aman and Aus have shown a decline in demand whereas, demands for HYV and Hybrid (Boro) have risen steadily. A closer look will reveal that in the last five years the demand for HYV is decreasing and allowing hybrid varieties to take over the demand market.

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CHAPTER-5 FARMERS RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY IN SEED: HYBRID, GENETICALLY

MODIFIED SEED

One of the leading NGOs in the country BRAC, in order to promote its hybrid rice Jagoron-1 had adapted the slogan ‘Jagoron-1 chas korun, gola vora dhan tulun’ (Cultivate Jagoron-1, and fill your granaries with paddy). Consequently, studies revealed that about 2000 farmers in Manirampur, Jessore cultivated this variety and discovered that the plants were not homogenous and grew in different sizes. Disgruntled farmers eventually filed a lawsuit against BRAC (The Daily Ittefaq 24/12/2004). This was an example of one of the many legal actions taken against a particular seed company.. Unfortunately no information regarding the outcome of the case had been recorded. In Lalmonirhat, local farmers could not get any yield from Maize cultivation in 2006. There wass no compensation declared by the companies or NGOs, who had supplied the seeds to the farmers. Recently there have been many similar complaints being made against Syngenta company for rice seed in Sirajgonj (2007).

The above examples indicate the weakness in the legal framework on ensuring local agricultural practice. Previous criticisms of the National Seed Policy, along with discrepancies of current Agricultural Policy are the fundamental problems for which incidents mentioned above have taken place. One of the new areas of agriculture is the propagation of Hybrid and Gentetic Seed resource. Being a labroratry based technology it has yet to be accepted by local farming communities. For this study we shall try to give a brief description of these varieties and see their role in the agrarian sector of the country.

HYBRID SEED hybrid is the combination of two or more different things, aimed at achieving a particular objective or goal. In agriculture and gardening, hybrid seed is seed produced by artificially cross-pollinated plants. Hybrids are bred to improve the characteristics of the resulting plants, such as better yield, greater uniformity, improved color, disease resistance, and so forth. Today, hybrid seed is predominant in agriculture and home gardening, and is one of the main contributing factors to the dramatic rise in agricultural output during the last half of the 20th century. In the US, the commercial market was launched in the 1920s, with the first hybrid maize. Hybrid seed cannot be saved, as the seed from the first generation of hybrid plants does not reliably produce true copies, therefore, new seed must be purchased for each planting.- (WIKIPEDIA, 2008)

GM SEED Through genetic engineering companies modify seeds and claim that seed as their invention. They thus buy an official title on that seed just as a landlord gets the title for his land. This title is usually called a patent. With this patent the seed company is granted exclusive rights to breed and sell the seeds. Genetic engineering is a potential profit-making life industry, and promises huge profits for multinational companies. It gives the unprecedented power to create novel living organisms. This raises ethical and religious concerns. This technology allows powerful companies to control food production, often to the detriment of local populations and raises economic and social concerns. Today, genetic engineering is already the focus of health, ethical, environmental and political debates. The debate has blown up in European countries, leading to an effective moratorium against genetically modified food. The consequence is that agro-business industries have been pushing for its commercialization in the third world countries, where weaker health and environmental regulations, and weaker economic and financial powers, facilitate their lobbying. In Bangladesh where about only 7 % of the required seeds are bought from the market, so it is lucrative market for the agribusiness companies with immense possibilities to expand.

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The following is a newspaper clipping of New Age newspaper, where a cases example of hybrid variety distribution has been described. The clipping is as follows –

Farmers fooled by hybrid seed traders Obaidul Ghani Most of the imported high yielding varieties of rice and vegetable seeds are substandard with authorities having no measure for ensuring quality, farmers complained. Most of the seed traders in the country import seeds of rice, vegetables, maize and millet labelled as hybrid and HYV although the seeds are not certified as claimed. An official of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute told New Age that for hybrid rice seed qualification, the government emphasised on yield rather than quality. He also alleged that some unscrupulous seed traders sold the inbreed varieties like BR-28, BR-29, released by BRRI, as hybrid. Although there is contact between the hybrid rice seed importers and the government for eight years regarding the technology transfer of particular imported seeds, it does not help the agriculture. Over the contact period, the traders import the same variety using different names, which goes without action by the government. For vegetable seeds, there are provisions of quarantine test at the port and reporting of germination purity at the national seed board, but these are rarely followed. The farmers are also cheated as many companies and their agents market date-expired seeds whose germination rate is low. Some private seed traders have no trial field and contact growers to assess the germination rate of the seeds before marketing. Besides, the absence of grow-out test at the government level makes it difficult to find out what is real hybrid seed. MA Qashem, marketing manager of Alauddin Seed Company said they import seeds from different countries and have two contact growers in Thakurgaon and Meherpur for conducting field trial of the seeds. The price of hybrid seed is also exorbitant, farmers allege. Per kilogram hybrid tomato seed is sold at Tk 75,000-80,000 while the same hybrid seeds developed by BARI as BARI Tomato-3 and BARI Tomato-4 cost Tk 20,000. An HYV variety radish seed like BARI radish-1 or Thasakisun developed by BARI is sold at Tk 200-250 per kg while the private seed companies sell the same at Tk 1,200-2,200 in the name of hybrid. Even, per kilogram cauliflower seed is sold at Tk 1.5 lakh and papaya seed at Tk 2.50 lakh. The private seed companies are earning huge profits in absence of government supervision, said Mukleshur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation. There is no control by the government regarding the standard of notified and non-notified crops as well as the profit margin. Even the seeds which has been produced and marketed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation are not properly certified, agricultural experts alleged. The government needs to strengthen the Seed Certification Agency to ensure the quality of seeds, they suggested. About 92 per cent seeds of different crops and vegetables produced and marketed by the BADC under Truthful Level Seeds (TLS) are not accordingly certified, it was alleged. Local supply meets only 12.61 per cent of the country’s annual quality seed demand of 9,32,250 tonnes.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF REGULATIONS ON SEED QUALITY In the Agriculture Policy (1993) there is a section 15 that deals with government assistance and disaster mitigation plan. The policy explains in this section about assistance to the farmers for crop loss in disaster. But the policy has no direction about the crop loss due to low quality seed and related yield problem. The Seed Ordinance 1977 (amended 2005), known as the Seeds (Amendment) Act, 2005 considers all crops (non-notified). Section 19 of 1977 act is replaced as “Cognizance of offences notwithstanding anything containing in the code of criminal procedure, 1898 (Act No V of 1898) no court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this ordinance except upon a complaint in writing mode by a seed inspector”. That means no case can stand without the certificate of seed inspector. There is no provision available to compensate a farmer against loss of crop by using bad quality seed supplied by any public or private company. In such cases Ministry of Agriculture may be approached along with the money receipt and seed tag. The Seed Certification Agency may also be informed only. So farmers are not able to take shelter directly in case of cheating by seed companies. VARIETIES IN USE IN THE STUDY AREAS Massive use of hybrid rice in Boro season found in Natore. But farmers in the Gaibandha still are not using hybrid rice seeds. Two local rice varieties are cultivated by Natore farmers but there in no HYV or hybrid variety was found for this season. Three local varieties in Gaibandha and 9 local varieties are cultivated in Natore during the Aman season. Gaibandha farmers cultivated three HYV varieties in the Aman season but Natore farmers are not using HYV for this season. Each of the areas has one local variety during Boro season. Gaibandha farmers cultivate three HYV varieties in Boro season compared to four varieties of HYV in Natore. Farmers in Natore are using six hybrid rice varieties during Boro season. Foundation (VITTI)-29: Case study on HYV type seed

Vitti-29 is regarded one of the best HYV rice variety in Natore. It is widely cultivated in this region. One kg seed needed for every one bigha land. Each kg cost one hundred taka. Vitti-29 seed plants have to be planted with single plant in the field. The production is amounted to 28-30 maund per bigha. In the last year villagers did not get the expected yield from Victi-29 in comparing to BRRIdhan-29. On the other hand the price of BRRIdhan-29 is less than Victi-29. That is why people begin to attract cultivating BRRIdhan-29 in lieu of Vitti-29. Last year the villagers gathered Vitti-29 seed from Rafiq Agro business Company which is said to be the pioneer of introducing Vitti-29 in Natore. It is also mentionable that the Victi-29 seed can not be preserved at home.

Farmers use Indian jute seeds in both the areas but in Natore they have classified it in three varieties i.e., Tosa, Veli and Sachi. For spices local varieties are mostly used but some Indian seeds are also used for cultivation of spices like onion. Local onion varieties are Tahirpuri, Voirobi and Kustia. Garlic is cultivated with local varieties like Patnai, Itali, Aushi and Aman. Other spices cultivated particularly in Gaibandha by using local varieties. These are the non-conventional spices like Mistisaj and Kalijira. Hollender, Diamond, Kardinal, Surjomukhi and Deshi are the potato varieties used by the farmers.

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All the Pulses cultivated by the farmers in both the areas found local varieties. These farmers produce different pulses like Masur, Khasari, Maskalai etc. Like pulses oilseeds like Mustard, Sesame etc. cultivated with local variety seeds by the farmers in both study areas. Wheat is reported cultivated with HYV varieties like Satabdi, Kanchan, Akbar, Sonali and 1008. Maize is cultivated with a hybrid variety known as Alpha by the farmers in Gaibandha. Tobacco is reported cultivated with company supplied varieties identified by the farmers as K-2 and KV. Farmers are producing lot of vegetables like bottle gourd, brinjle, bean, etc. by using hybrid seeds. There is no particular name mentioned by the farmers for these seeds. A small section of farmers reported cultivating vegetables with local varieties but they said these are for their own consumption and produced in homestead areas.

Table-26: Crop Varieties used for cultivation at Gaibandha Crop Variety in use China (Cereal crop) Deshi (local) Ground nut Deshi (local) Jute Tosa (imported from India) Maize Hybrid (Alpha) Millet Deshi (local) Potato Deshi, Hollender Oil Seed Local (Mustard and Sesame) Pulses (Khasari, Musuri, Maskalai) Deshi (local) Spices (Mistisaj, Kalijira, Dhania) Dehsi (local) Spices (Onion) Tahirpuri, Indian Spices (Garlic) Deshi (local) Spices (Zinger) Deshi (local)

Table-27: Rice Varieties used for cultivation at Gaibandha

Variety in use Season Local HYV Hybrid

Aman Gainja, Nayaraj, Malshiraj,

BR-10, BR-11, BRRIdhan-28,

No hybrid in use

Boro Kaliboro

BRRIdhan-28, BRRIdhan-29, BR-3 (Biplob)

No hybrid in use

Table-28: Crop Varieties used for cultivation at Natore

Crop Variety in use Jute Tosa, Veli, Sachi Oil seed Mustard (Rai), Tishi (Sathi), Til (Zota, Atsiri) Spices (Onion) Tahirpuri, Indian, Bhairobi, Kustia Potato Hollender, Diamond, Kardinal, Surjomukhi, Dehsi Pulses Local Masur, Kalikalai, Khasari Spices (Garlic) Patnai, Itali, Aushi, Amna Tobacco K-2, KV Wheat Satabdi, Kanchan, Akbar, Sonali, 1008

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Table-29: Rice Varieties used for cultivation at Natore Variety in use Season Local HYV Hybrid

Aus Molki, Kolki No HYV in use No Hybrid in use

Aman Dighi, Azol dighi, Dhol dighi, Sada dighi, Sorsori ,Mati gorol, Boron, Varilati, Zirasail,

No HYV in use No Hybrid in use

Boro Mongladari BR-14, BRRIdhan-28, BRRIdhan-29, Vikti29*

Richer, Alok, Jagoron, Aftab, Hira, Sonar Bangla,

Vitti-29: A popular HYV rice variety for Boro season in Natore area. Seeds can be purchased in packet

GENETICALLY MODIFIED SEED IN BANGLADESH AND FOOD RIGHTS The first attempt of GM introduction was observed during 1998 when Grameen Bank and Monsanto signed MoU. But continuous protest by environmentalists and civil society Grameen Bank had withdrawn itself from the contract. Since than it was a continuous effort of the TNCs to enter into the seed market of Bangladesh, where only 7% seed is traded by formal sector and has huge prospect of seed business. The national agricultural policy has created hope for the transnational companies in this regard.

The national Agricultural policy has emphasized the role of biotechnology in enhancing and sustaining agricultural production and is keen to harness the potential of biotechnology. It has already formed different committees for the promotion of biotechnological research and development activities in the country. The government has adopted a draft National Policy on Biotechnology. The National Technical Committee on Crop Biotechnology is responsible for the development of crop biotechnology in the country. Recently the Ministry of Environment and Forest developed biosafety guidelines for Bangladesh and it is expected that these guidelines will be implemented soon. Table 30: GM materials approved for research in confined condition GM material Character of interest Source of gene Status Golden rice (BRRI dhan 29)

B-carotent Bacteria Confined research by BRRI

Bt-Brinjal Fruit and Shoot borer resistance

Bacteria (bt gene) Confined research by BARI

Bt-Brinjal lines (for hybrid production)

Fruit and shoot borer resistance

Bacteria (bt gene) Confined research by East West Seeds (BD) Ltd.

Potato (GM katahdin) Late blight resistance Wild potato Confined research by BARI

Rice (IR 64) Tretalose sugar synthesis

Saline and/or drought resistance

E. coli Confine d research by BRRI

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The Technical Committee on Crop Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture has approved the confinement trial of golden rice at the BRRI. The most popular rice varieties of BRRI- BRRI dhan-29 and 28 have been transformed at IRRI. The golden rice transformants of BRRIdhan-29 is already under trial in glass house condition at BRRI. The committee approved import of Bt brinjal and late blight resistant potato GM lines for further research under confined condition at BARI. GM Crops and TRIPS: Patenting, Control and Ownership GM crops are protected by Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). So the ownership of IPRs in agricultural biotechnology is an important issue for farmers. As a significant financial attraction of biotech is the opportunity it provides for companies to claim ownership of innovation. Whereas conventional breeding relies on natural modes of reproduction, genetic engineering violates natural processes of reproduction by transferring foreign strands of DNA from one organism to another, even across species barriers. The processes of genetic engineering as well as the genes themselves and the end product, such as plant variety, are generally regarded as “new constructs” of human intervention and therefore intellectual property. Seed companies can use various mechanisms to protect such property, including plant variety protection, material transfer agreements, and more frequently, patents. Since patents confer commercial monopoly rights, patent owners have power to exert high levels of control over the market. As a member nation of World Trade Organization Bangladesh has obligation to implement the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which entered into force on January 1, 1995. As a least developed country Bangladesh is obliged to make patents available by 2006 establishing “an effective sui generis system” of protection for plant varieties. What constitutes “an effective sui generis system” is not defined by WTO. This has generated considerable debate – as well as delay in implementation of TRIPS in developing as well as least developed countries. Until today there is no such law in Bangladesh. A form of IPR act- Plant Variety and Farmers Rights Protection Act is heard submitted for approval in the ministry. As a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), transportation and handling of genetic materials require biosafety protocol, which is not still in force in our country. LOCAL FARMERS AND GM CROPS The Syngenta company, that is providing support for the development and promotion of golden rice in Bangladesh announced that they make it freely available for Bangladesh. However, international laws like Material Transfer Agreement (MTAs) holds exclusive control of golden rice production and use in Bangladesh. Despite all the frenzy, there is a little reason to believe that small farmers will reap any benefits from golden rice. Syngenta has only agreed to make golden rice freely available to a segment of farmers – those earning less than $ 10,000 from it each year – and only if the rice they produce is not exported. Certainly, large farmers and seed companies will not appreciate the subsidized competition. It seems that the whole matter of market segmentation and restrictions on exports will require someone to enforce grower’s contracts on golden rice farmers. Where IPR is a stake, nothing comes – truly – for free. The recent development of GM crop seed promotion in Bangladesh is also considered as a threat to our rich biodiversity- thus on the livelihoods of our farmers. The Indian experience of bt-cotton can be a good lesson for us.

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IPR Case Study: Safflower Oil

Safflower Oil (a.k.a Kushum Oil) Kushum oil is known to the villagers as aromatic and medicinal plants for various uses in kachubari village. Kushum plant is lengthy and prickly. It is cultivated by the farmers around their crop field to shield the crops from cattle’s. In this case the use of kushum is likely to be a protective fench. It is popularly known by kushum flower to the villagers. The seeds of kushum are used for making one kind of edible oil. This oil is normally produced with the mixture of other oil seeds like mustard oil. It can not be individually produced because of its insigficant cultivation. Particularly kushum is cultivated alongside the homestead area. The seeds of kushum are planted in winter season and the harvesting period is summer. No pesticides and fertilizers are needed for its cultivation. Generally the seeds of kushum oil are collected through women and they preserve it in a bottle or earthen pot. Kushum oil can be used for all kinds of curry and the use of kushum oil makes the curry fragrant. Medicinally it is used as hair oil to get rid of headache and also keep the head cool. After getting a little bit heat if the oil is used it helps to remove from coldness.

Kusum oil is commercially cultivated in the USA and it is consumed by health conscious rich people. Various products like margarine is produced with kusum oil. Safola margarine is a common brand name produced with kusum oil. The kusum oil that is commercially cultivated in the USA are the varieties brought from Bangladesh and West Bengal of India.

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CHAPTER 6 APPROPRIATE PATH TO DEAL WITH SEED

Seed - the life of agriculture and farmers. In our traditional agricultural system, farmers preserved their own seeds; particularly female members of farming families preserved their seeds for the respective seasons. Green revolution introduced seed as a means of business and not solely controlled by farmers themselves. Agriculture was rooted in farmers’ rights and farmer empowerment, rather than working for the needs of mega corporation. Agriculture was a part of culture at farming household level and was totally led by the farmer. But now in the globalized world, the agriculture system is being turned into commercial and industrial form, where small and medium farmers are being pushed into the ground. Chapter 2 and 3 have described the Commercialization of seeds. We can assume that in the name of ensuring quality seeds many farmers have faced economic and livelihood deprivation. Therefore in order to ensure food security or seed crisis, seed management should be within the farmers’ grasp as it was in the past (before green revolution). The prevalence of hybrid and GM seed mentioned in chapter 5 clearly shows the neglect of farmer’s own knowledge in the case of seed. The various legal cases cited along with lack of policy support suggest that a change is necessary. It is therefore the Farmer’s knowledge and farmers’ science which must be the basis of seed related planning and development at state and local government level. The overall situational analysis of the seed sector has shown limitations in policy, growing role of corporate enterprises and lack of farmer’s participation. Therefore the following is a simple yet clear summary of the necessary steps which can be taken to have integrated sustainable seed sector. WAY FORWARD To ensure the farmers’ rights over seeds and sustainable agriculture through conservation of crop diversity, the following recommendations can be considered Existing national laws are not protecting farmers to be abused by seed companies. The National seed policy and seed law and rules, seed ordinance including other laws and policies related with seed should be reviewed and amended considering diversity and farmers’ rights. It should also be considered that Farmers’ knowledge and rights have to be ensured first into the seed conservation processes. The state has to take initiatives to establish local, upazialla & regional seed banks and farmer-to-farmer seed exchange customs in the villages. The significance of Women’s traditional practice and exercise of seed conservation should not be undermined or reduced. Community ownership of seed should be facilitated with the role of women clearly defined and established. The farmers’ participation in state sponsored agricultural research, extension and innovation programs irrespective of gender with equal recognition and respect must be ensured. From an indigenous perspective Indigenous seed diversity should be ensured in the indiegnous areas to establish seed rights, food and land rights. Role of the State towards a sustainable future Government relevant departments should provide low cost seed processing mechanism and improvement technology (socially & environmentally sustainable) to produce and improve quality seeds based on their demands. Current information gaps remain as still there is no concrete data available on seed situation, like how many local varieties of rice or pulses we have available at different ecological zones; As a result it can be assumed that the Department of Agriculture should

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assess local level availability of seed and can make a comprehensive plan through a participatory mechanism. A national level ‘Seed Survey/Assessment” should be implemented to know the present state of seed/varieties available at farmers’ field and house The state has to take community consent to give approval to multinational companies for commercial marketing of seed. The state should have control over all types of seed, import, production and sale of multinational companies and to ensure accountability of the state to the people, the state has to take effective initiatives to include the maters in seed and agricultural policy. Companies are to be socially responsible. The Seed business sector and marketing should be restricted, particularly in the bordering areas. As the current reality is that every year a large quantity of foreign low quality and unauthorized seeds enter into the market unmonitored. Seed and crop diversity are our tradition and attainment of thousands of years, they are more than just our assets. In conclusion, to protect the farming community and agriculture, the use of agricultural land should be prohibited in non-agricultural sector. Networking Linkages and Associations- Bridging the boundaries for a concerted effort There is a need for strong farmers’ association to ensure rights of farmers to spontaneously develop Farmer’s Rights movement. The State should encourage farmers associations. Farmers’ should have to organize themselves to fulfill their rights through empowerment mechanisms. The role of grassroots level farmers’ social and political organizations should be strengthened. NGOs can help to organize farmers to form associations. Government should allocate or make available funds for conducting farmer-scientist partnership research on seed diversity particularly varietal selection. Seed companies should have compensation mechanisms/ or guarantee mechanisms which will protect the farmer in case of any mishap in using the seed resulting in crop failure. As previously it has been described that the role of the public sector is imperative in seed sustainability, the BADC should be strengthened and seed production mechanism should be redesigned based on farmers’ selection of crops, variety, seed requirement for the specific area and demand of the farmers. From the perspective of a free man on earth, being a farmer is a noble endeavor. Anthropologically it was agriculture which gave birth to civilization, order and society. The great revolution from being hunting nomads and scavengers to families, communities, societies and then states. The changing of seasons, the respect for nature, the birth of poetry and appreciation for natures bounty have all emerged from agriculture. For this relationship between the seed, the land and the sun and the rain along with the tireless care and affection of the farmer is a sacred act which has given us more than food- It gave us identity. Let us try not trade away this seed, for a petty greed which intends to one day consume even us.

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Annex-A

.Bangladesh.

• A.K. Seed & Pesticide • A.R. Malik & Co. - Fax: +880 (2) 837754 - Telex: 671195 MALIK BJ • A.R. Traders - Tel: +880 (2) 956 6432 • Abdur Rahim & Brothers • ACI Seeds Ltd. • Adarsa Beej Bhander • Agri Impex Ltd. - [email protected] - Fax: +880 (2) 956 0356 • Agri Traders • Al-Amin Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (91) 53319 • Alamgir Seed House - Tel: +880 (2) 956 7807 • Alfa Seed International • Alker Seed Traders - Tel: +880 (421) 6744 • Allar Dan Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (631) 3188 • Anwar Beej Bhander • Auto Equipment Ltd. - Tel: +880 (2) 955 9631 • Banasree Seed Co. • Bandhu Beej Bhander • Banga Beej Bhander • Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corp. - Fax: +880 (2) 863 125 • Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute - [email protected] - Fax: 88 (2) 841678 • Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics - Publication Sales Center

Answari Building, 3rd. Floor - Dhaka • Bangladesh Rice Research Institute • Bangladesh Seed Growers Association • Bangladesh Seed Merchants Association • Barisal Seed House • Beej Char Agri Seed & Industry • Beejghar Agri-Farm & Industry • Bhai Bhai Seed Farm - Tel: +880 (452) 3141 • Bikrampur Seed House - Tel: +880 (2) 956 6434 • Bismillah Beej Bhander • Biten Seed Co. • BRAC - Seed Production and Marketing Programme • Capital Seed House - Tel: +880 (421) 23663 • Chadni Beejgar - Tel: +880 (51) 6508 • Chens Crop Science Bangladesh Limited • Chuadanga Kit Nashok O Beej Bhander • City Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (421) 3445 • City Seed & Co. - Tel +880 (521) 3401 • Crop Diversification Programme

Seed Industry Development Project - [email protected] - Fax: +880 2 883451

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o Seed Industry Development Project - [email protected] - Fax: +880 2 883451 • Desh Bandhu Seed Industries • Dewan Agro Seed Farm • Dhaka Seed Center • Dhaka Seed Store - Tel: +880 (2) 955 1460 • Dinajpur Beej Bhander • Dohar Joypara Beej Bhander • East-West Seed Co., Inc. • FAO Office - Fax: +880 (2) 813 446 • Faruque Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (6226) 319 • Feni Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (331) 4396 • Gazipur Beej Bhander • Gopalganj Seed Store • Gremeen Krishi Foundation • Halder Beej Bhander • Haluaghat Beej Bhander • Harij Beej Bhander • Harun Enterprise • Hossain Agency • International Seed Emporium • Islam & Co. - Tel: +880 (2) 406526 • Islam Seed Store • Islamia Beej Bhander • Jahangir Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (331) 4458 • Jamalpur Seed House - Fax: +880 (2) 83 53 11 • Jessore Classic Seed Farm • Jhenaidah Nursery & Beej Bhander • Jihan Beej Bhander • Jitu Seed Store • Jitu & Titu Seed Farm • Joypara Beej Bhander • Kabir Seed Store • Kashem Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (2) 956 9743 • Khokan Beej Bhander • Khulna Seed House • Kismat Beej Bhander • Krishan Enterprise • Krishi Beej Bhander • Krishi Beejagar • Krishi Kallian Seed Store • Kushiara Beej Ghar • Kushtia Seed Store - Tel: +880 (2) 801435 / 802336 • M.H. Enterprise - Tel: +880 (2) 892994 • M.L. Khan Seed Store • M/S. Goura Chandra Biswas • Ma-Moni Beej Bhander • Ma-Moni Enterprise

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• Madina Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (531) 4572 • Mamtaj Beej Bhander • Mamun Beej Bhander • Masud Seed Co. - Tel: +880 (2) 956 6196 • Maynamoti Beej Bhander • McDonald Bangladesh (Pvt) Ltd. - Tel: +880 (2) 858869 / 863135 • Minara Beej Bhander • Ministry of Agriculture - Seed Wing - Tel: 880 (2) 866 087 • Mirza Farm - Tel: +880 (561) 3404 • Mitali Agro Seed Industries - Fax: +880 (2) 956 9677 • Mitali Seed Store • Mithu Beej Bhander • Mollika Seed Co. Ltd. - Fax: +880 (2) 835311 / 837754 • Mondal Beej Bhander • Mousumi Beej Bhander • Mousumi Beej Bitan - Tel: +880 (91) 53466 • Mousumi Beejagar • Muktarpur Bhander • Muslim Beej Bhander • Nadim Beej Bhander - Fax: +880 (2) 955 7273 • Nadim Seed Co. - Fax: +880 (2) 956 6435 • Nasir Beej Bhander • National Seed Store - Tel: +880 (2) 956 3578 • Natun Bazar Seed Store • Nazma Enterprise • Nazim Beej Bhander • New Barisal Beej Bhander • New Momemshahi Seed Store • New Popular Nursery - Tel: +880 (531) 3337 • New Seed House • North Bengal Seed Store - Tel: +880 (521) 3756 • Parvez Beej Bhander • Pashapashi Seed Co. - Tel: +880 (31) 612891 • Poly Beej Bhander • Popular Nursery • Progati Beej Bhander • R.S. Traders • Raihan Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (571) 533 • Rajdhani Seed Company • Rajshahi Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (721) 6290 • Rangpur Seed Store - Tel: +880 (521) 3319 • Real Seed Production Farm • Rezia Seed Store • Ripa Beej Bhander • Rizia Seed Store - Tel: +880 (2) 955 1460 • Royal Seed Store • Rubel Seed Store

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• Sabuj Beej Bhander • Sadi Beejagar • Saimon Beej Bhander • Samrat Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (51) 6508 • Satata Beej Bhander • Savar Seed Store • Seed Trade News - [email protected] • Seedscraft Ltd.- [email protected] - Fax: +880 (2) 883343 • Seedsmen's Society of Bangladesh • Shahid Beej Bhander • Shahin Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (981) 3241 • Shahin Traders - Fax: +880 (2) 955 7273 • Shahjalal Beej Bhander • Sheel Trading Corp. 9 Tel: +880 (2) 837650 • Sherpur Beej Bhander • Sheuly Beej Bhander • Shilpi Seed Store • Shreshta Beej Bhander • Singair Beej Bhander • Smiriti Seed Co. - Tel: +880 (2) 955 7316 • Sobjee Bejagar • Society Nursery • Sohag Beej Bhander • Solaiman & Brothers • Sonali Beej Bhander • Sopan Seeds • Sreemangal Seed House • Suman Beej Bhander • Supreme Seed Company Ltd. - Fax: +880 (2) 956 0356 • Surovi Group • Sury A Seed Store • Taru Kunja Nursery Pvt. Ltd. - Tel: +880 (2) 886994 • Tarulata Seed and Nursery Farm - Tel: +880 (91) 53466 • Tinpata Quality Seeds Bangladesh Limited • Tuhin Seed Co. - Tel: +880 (2) 956 9049 • Ufsee Beej Bhander • United Seed Store - Tel: +880 (2) 966 1734 • Voyage Seed Company • Younus Beej Bhander • Yousuf Beej Bhander • Zafar Beej Bhander - Tel: +880 (541) 201 3141

Source: Seedquest

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Annex-B District-wise distribution of registered dealers District Number of Dealers

Borguna 18 Barisal 33 Bhola 14 Bogra 95 Brahmanbaria 23 Chandpur 32 Chapai Nawabganj 17 Chittagong 64 Chuadanga 53 Comilla 71 Dhaka 291 Dinajpur 107 Faridpur 44 Feni 21 Gaibandha 33 Gazipur 26 Gopalganj 57 Habiganj 35 Jamalpur 132 Jessore 149 Jhenaidah 34 Joypurhat 53 Khulna 77 Kishoreganj 212 Kurigram 32 Kushtia 54 Lakshmipur 18 Lalmonirhat 61 Madaripur 12 Magura 15 Manikganj 13 Meherpur 18 Moulvibazar 29 Munshiganj 133 Mymensingh 157 Naogaon 30 Narail 11 Narayanganj 18 Narshingdi 21 Natore 47 Netrokona 108 Nilphamari 27

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Noakhali 19 Pabna 60 Rajbari 15 Rajshahi 64 Rangpur 76 Satkhira 50 Sherpur 51 Sirajganj 43 Sunamganj 42 Sylhet 41 Tangail 88 Panchagarh 21 Patuakhali 16 Pirojpur 6 Bagerhat 2 Thakurgaon 25 Shariatpur 4 Cox's Bazar 6

Source: On line Directory of Registered Seed Dealers, www.moa.gov.bd.

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Annex-C: What are farmer's rights?

As an annex to the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources (unanimously adopted through Conference Resolution 8/833) the Conference Resolution 5/894 defines Farmers' Rights as "rights arising from the past, present and future contribution of farmers in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources, particularly those in the centres of origin/diversity." The purpose of these rights is stated to be "ensuring full benefits to farmers and supporting the continuation of their contributions." 3 Extract of the Twenty-Second Session of the FAO Conference, Rome, 5-23 November 1983 4 Extract of the Twenty-Fifth Session of the FAO Conference, Rome, 11-29 November 1989As part of this Resolution, the 25th Session of the FAO Conference endorsed the concept of Farmers Rights with a view to:

� ensuring global recognition of the need for conservation and the availability of sufficient funds for these purposes;

� assisting farmers and farming communities throughout the world, especially those in areas of original diversity of plant genetic resources, in the protection and conservation of their PGR and of the natural biosphere; and,

� allowing the full participation of farmers, their communities and countries in the benefits derived, at present and in the future, from the improved use of PGR.

During the 26th Session of the FAO Conference, Resolution 3/915 was also adopted unanimously by over 170 countries, endorsing that:

� nations have sovereign rights over their plant genetic resources;

� breeders' lines and farmers' breeding material should only be available at the discretion of their developers during the Grind of development

� Farmers Rights wild be implemented through an international fund on PGR which will support PGR conservation and utilization programmes, particularly, but not exclusively, in the developing countries;

� in view of the pressing and permanent need for effective conservation and sustainable use of PGR, the resources for the international fund and other funding mechanisms should be substantial, sustainable and based on principles of equity and transparency; and,

� through the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the donors of genetic resources, funds and technology will determine and oversee the policies, programmes and priorities of the fund and other funding mechanisms, with the advice of the appropriate bodies.

5 Extract of the Twenty-Sixth Session of the FAO Conference, Rome, 9-27 November 1991

The concept of Farmers' Rights provides a measure of counterbalance to "formal' Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and patents that compensate for the latest innovations with little consideration of the fact that, in many cases, these innovations are only the most recent step of accumulative knowledge and inventions that have been carried out over millennia by generations of men and women in different parts of the world (FAO, 1 995a).

Farmers' Rights arise from the past, present and future contributions of farmers in conserving, improving and making available PGR, particularly in centres of origin. They are not assigned to specific varieties, types of plants, or to specific farmers. Their purpose is to encourage farmers and farming communities to nurture and conserve, and to utilize and improve, plant genetic resources (FAO, 1996).

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All modern plant varieties contain only those genes that have originated from farmers' traditional varieties (landraces) or wild crop relatives. Yet in many instances, the small scale fanning communities of women and men in the centres of crop diversity are not the farmers to whom improved crop varieties have been provided. Yet these are the women and men which have historically provided the germplasm upon which scientific plant breeding is based. It could be said that germplasm is provided by small-scale subsistence farmers to plant breeders whose varieties are then adapted/developed for medium to large scale commercial farmers (Spillane, 1996).

The contributions of communities to the conservation and regeneration of plant genetic resources (PGR) have been substantial and it has been widely agreed that there should be some form of recognition of their tremendous value, not only to the communities, but also to the nations and to the world as a whole. However, a number of key questions remain, including: how to recognize and attribute a "true' value to these contributions. Furthermore, there has been much debate on how to "activate" or "implement" Farmers Rights, particularly in a way that respects both the tangible, and the not so tangible, contributions of the various actors experimenting with, and conserving, PGR.

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Annex-D: What is Seed? “Seeds” means any of the following classes of seeds used for sowing or planting-

i) seeds of food crops including edible oil seeds and seeds of fruits and vegetables ii) Jute seeds iii) Cotton seeds iv) Seeds or cattle fodder Under including seedlings, and tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, root cuttings, all types of grafts and other vegetatively propagated materials of food crops or cattle fodder. [Seed Ordinance – 1977]

“Seeds” means, except those used for drugs and narcotics, any of the following classes of seeds used for sowing or planting –

i. seeds of food crops including edible oil seeds of fruits and vegetables ii. seeds of fibre crops iii. seeds of flower and ornamental plants iv. seeds of forage crops

and including seedlings, and tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, root cuttings, all types of grafts and other vegetatively propagated materials [Clause J, XXXIII, The Seeds (amendment) Act, 1997]

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Annex- E: PORTFOLIO OF SELECTED COMPANIES IN SEED TRADE: There has been a tremendous growth of new seed companies in the last one decade after the promulgation of “National Seed Policy” and “Seed Rules-1998”. NGOs are also found in the seed trade. Most of these companies have developed their own fields for seed production, or have contract with the farmers. Companies developed their own seed marketing network. (1) Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC): BRAC is the largest NGO. It entered into

seed business, mostly of vegetables in 1994. It has collaborative programmes with Pacific Seeds of Australia and a Chinese company for production of hybrid maize and vegetable seeds respectively. It signed MoU with BRRI for the supply of breeder seed of rice. It is also a member of implementation/research operation committee of the Hybrid Rice Network (HRN). It has also collaboration for production of hybrid rice seed. BRAC also have programme on sapling production of different horticulture varieties like mango. It has its 25 ha own seed farms at Bhaluka and Iswardi and 92 ha leased lands at Bhaluka, Sripur, Muktagacha and Tanor, Rajshahi. BRAC also opened a seed sales centre named “Sufala Beez Vander”. Through this seed sale centre BRAC supplies seeds to different NGO’s and seed traders.

(2) ACI (Seeds) Ltd. The ACI is well known company in the areas of agro-chemicals and public health. Its present seed activities include import and marketing of Okra seeds through contract growers variety screening of rice, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, brinjal, maize, sunflower and mustard. a leading multidivisional public limited company signed collaborative programme with Pro-Agro Seed Co. Ltd. India for production of hybrid paddy, hybrid maize, hybrid sorghum and hybrid vegetables.

(3) Ganges Development Corporation (GDC): GDC is one of the oldest private enterprises engaged in seed business in the country. It has a seed store. It is playing a leading role in popularizing hybrids of maize, sorghum and Jumbo grass and improved varieties of beans and supplying seeds to farmers and NGO’s. It started rice seed business especially of hybrid rice through import from India.

(4) McDonald: McDonald Bangladesh (Pvt.) Ltd. is one of the front runners in importing and marketing of hybrid rice seed. McDonald Signed business agreement with Nath Seeds Ltd. India for production of hybrid paddy, maize, cotton, etc.

(5) Mollika Seed Co. (MSC): MSC is one of the pioneers in importing and marketing of hybrid rice seed in the country. The company has an office and sale centre at Siddique Bazar in old Dhaka and research farm at Jamalpur and Sherpur. These farms are mostly used for vegetable seed production. Its hybrid rice named Sonar Bangla-1 is imported from China.

(6) East-West Seeds (Bangladesh) Ltd: A multinational company has already started its business with a local company. The company sales seed in the brand name of `Laltir’ and is a major vegetable seed producing company. The company is a stakeholder in the ABSPII project. East-West Seed Company has collaboration with Colonel University of USA, SATGURU, MAHIKO SEEDS (a subsidiary of Monsanto). It has also agreement with Hi-tech seed Ltd. of China for producing hybrid rice.

(7) A.R. Malik and Company: Malik seed is one of the pioneers of seed business in Bangladesh. Presently it has joint venture with Namdhari Seed (Pvt.) Ltd., a renowned seed company of India. The company produces vegetable, maize and rice seeds. It imports hybrid rice seed from Hi-tech Seed Company of China.

(8) Aftab Bohumukhi Farms Ltd. (ABFL): ABFL is one of the subsidiary companies of Islam group concerning its activities in agro and rural sector. It produces hybrid paddy, maize, chili. It is

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marketing HYV rice varieties like BRRIdhan—28, 29,41 and BR-11. Now Jute seed is also in its list of products.

(9) Grameen Krishi Foundation (GKF): The GKF was established under the company act and started its activity with the development of irrigation facilities in the dry season. With the passage of time and change of demand, GKF enlarged its activities towards micro-credit, seed production, dairy, poultry, aquaculture and marketing.

(10) Syngenta: Syngenta, one of the global agrochemical giants, long doing business in pesticides and crop protection in Bangladesh has entered into the seed market of Bangladesh. With their huge investment capacity they established a network of their own dealers. Syngenta signed a MoU with the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) The Company also imports and markets vegetable seeds and flowers seed. Syngenta captured the media to promote its products in Bangladesh. It has established their own network of journalists to ‘disseminate’ their version of agriculture. The network, Forum for Information Dissemination on Agriculture (FIDA) has launched Syngenta-FIDA Fellowship Programme for journalists.

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Annex-F: Fig 2: Organizational Chart of Seed System in Bangladesh

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

Secretariat of National Seed Board, Monitoring, implementation of Seed Policy

Private

Farmers meet 94% of seed requirement

(1999)

National Seed Board Policy, regulation

Public NGO

See Certification Agency Certification, quality control

National Agricultural

Research System (NARS)

BARI, BRRI, BJRI, BSRI, BAU, BSMRAU, BINA,

BARC

Varietal development and seed research

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation

Promotion, processing,

marketing, internal QC of rice, wheat, potato, jute, pulses,

oilseed, vegetable

Cotton Development Board

Production, processing and marketing of cotton seed

Department of Agricultural Extension

Extension of modern varieties

Seed traders/ seed shop Mostly seed wholesalers and

retailing activities in vegetable seeds

Seed Company Production and marketing of vegetable seeds and hybrid of

different crops

• Bangladesh Seed Traders and Merchants’ Association

• Seedman’s Society of Bangladesh • Seed Dealers Welfare Association • Seed Growers Association

Developing collaboration with

different stakeholders and protecting group interest

32 organizations having significant involvement in agriculture

Research Three NGOs

Seed Supply Most of the NGOs

Nursery and seedling supply Most of the NGOs

Seed company establishment

One NGO has established seed company, more is expected

Direct linkage Indirect linkage

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Bibliography: Souvenir, National Seed Conference and Fair 2006, 5-7 September, Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Proceedings, National Seminar on Seed Industry Development (September 8-9, 1999), Seed Industry Promotion Unit, Crop Diversification Programme, Ministry of Agriculture. Souvenir, 7th Biennial Conference (26 May 2007), Plant Breeding and Genetics Society of Bangladesh. Farmers Training Manual 2007, A R Malik and Co. (Pvt.), Ltd. BARCIK 2006, A Review on Maize Crop Disaster in Lalmonirhat (unpublished). BARCIK, 2004, National Seed Declaration BARCIK, 2004, Seed Crisis, Farmers right to seed. BARCIK, 2006, Our Agriculture, out Life, Changing agriculture and livelihoods of indigenous Gaor community in Madhupur. MASIPAG, Intellectual Property Rights, TRIPs and Farmers Rights. MISEREOR, Saving our Rice Government of Bangladesh, National Seed Policy Government of Bangladesh, National Agricultural Policy MAKE TRADE FAIR, Agribusiness in South Asia; A Fact Sheet www.moa.gov.bd www.fao.org www.seedquest.com

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