Bangladesh's growing dependence on imported seeds raises food security worries

Highlights:

• Bangladesh increasingly depends on imported seeds for key crops
• 80% of jute seeds come from India despite high output
• Maize boom relies on 90–95% imported seeds
• Hybrid rice, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses mostly use foreign seeds
• Experts warn seed import reliance threatens food security
• Private sector seeks government help for local seed innovation

Bangladesh may produce enough food to feed itself, but not enough seeds to sustain that production. From cash crops to vegetables, a quiet dependence is taking hold — on imported seeds that now underpin much of the country's agricultural output.

Take jute, for instance. Bangladesh is the world's second-largest producer and top exporter of jute and jute goods. Yet, the country imports about 80% of its jute seeds, mostly from India.

For hybrid rice — increasingly popular for its higher yields — the country relies heavily on imports from China, India, and Vietnam. The same trend extends to maize, vegetables, oilseeds, and pulses, where foreign seeds are rapidly replacing domestic varieties.

Two decades ago, most seeds in Bangladesh came from farmers' own reserves or the state-run Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). Today, that picture has changed dramatically.

Infograph: TBS

Rising import volumes

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh required about 13.14 lakh tonnes of seeds in FY2024–25. Of this, 8.65 lakh tonnes were potato seeds, while 3.35 lakh tonnes were rice seeds, mostly produced locally. The remaining demand — for jute, maize, vegetables, oilseeds, and pulses — is largely met through imports.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reports that Bangladesh imported 32,385 tonnes of seeds in FY25, compared with 36,492 tonnes in FY24 and 31,694 tonnes in FY23.

Bangladesh's annual demand for jute seeds is 6,000–6,400 tonnes, of which 75–80% is imported, while maize requires 15,000 tonnes, 90–95% of which comes from abroad. 

Vegetable seeds, totalling 4,000–4,500 tonnes annually, are 60% imported, with cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beetroot, and hybrid radish seeds almost entirely sourced from other countries. 

Hybrid rice seeds are needed at around 26,000 tonnes, of which roughly 20% is imported. Oilseed demand stands at 26,947 tonnes, with 85–90% imported, and pulses require 23,127 tonnes annually, 80% of which comes from imports.

Excluding potato seeds, about 33% of seeds are supplied by government institutions, 30% by private companies, and the remaining 37% come directly from farmers. A significant share of the seeds provided by the government consists of rice seeds.

Leading seed companies in Bangladesh include Lal Teer Seed Ltd, ACI Seed, Supreme Seed Company Ltd, BRAC Seed and Agro Enterprise, AR Malik Seeds Pvt Ltd, Ispahani Agro Ltd, Metal Agro, Krishibid Seed, Masud Seed Company, and United Seed.

A potato farmer arranges his harvest using a low-cost, traditional storage method known as the attic storage system, or ‘machan’ method. Spearheaded by the Department of Agricultural Marketing, these raised, ventilated structures—built with bamboo, wood, and tin sheets—enable farmers to store potatoes and other vegetables naturally, reducing reliance on expensive and often monopolised cold storage facilities. The photo was taken from Bogura, recently. Photo: Khorshed Alam

Seed security — the next frontier

Experts argue that Bangladesh's near self-sufficiency in food production will not be sustainable without seed security.

"As high-yield varieties expand, farmers find it harder to preserve seeds," said Jahangir Alam Khan. "Government research institutions develop new varieties, but BADC still faces capacity constraints, while the private sector mostly imports and distributes seeds rather than investing in local R&D."

Imported seeds, he added, also carry risks of poor germination, causing losses for both farmers and traders. Khan recommended a five- to seven-year national plan to achieve seed self-sufficiency through stronger coordination among government agencies, BADC, and private firms.

80% of Bangladesh's jute seeds are sourced from India

Bangladesh ranks second in global jute production and is among the top exporters of jute and jute goods. 

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, nearly 90 lakh bales of jute were produced in the last fiscal year. 

Export Promotion Bureau data show exports worth $820 million, including $148 million in raw jute, $461 million in jute yarn, $125 million in jute bags, and $83 million in other products.

Yet, 75–80% of the 6,000–6,400 tonnes of jute seeds needed annually — about 4,000–5,000 tonnes — come from India. 

The Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) has developed 57 jute varieties, but adoption remains limited due to lower yields and higher costs. Most farmers still use the imported JRO 524 variety. In FY25, 4,116 tonnes of JRO 524 and Kenaf seeds were imported.

Farmer Ahsan Habib from Naogaon said he switched to JRO 524 after local seeds failed to perform. "The Indian variety grows better," he said.

BJRI officials say self-sufficiency is achievable if improved local varieties such as Kenaf-4 are scaled up. Acting Director General Nargis Akhter said farmers often prioritise rice and winter vegetables over jute seed production due to higher profits. "Coordinated efforts among BJRI, BADC, and DAE are crucial to achieve jute seed self-reliance," she said.

Despite fields brimming with ripe jute, many farmers are hesitant to begin harvesting. Photo: UNB

Maize boom built on foreign seeds

Bangladesh's maize production has nearly tripled over the past decade, making it the country's third-largest crop after rice and potatoes. Output reached 7.3 million tonnes last fiscal year, up from 2.76 million tonnes in FY2016 — driven by growing demand from poultry, livestock, aquaculture, and food processing industries.

But the boom rests on imports: 90–95% of maize seeds are brought from India, Thailand, and the United States. Of the 15,000 tonnes required annually, 14,817 tonnes were imported in FY24.

Vegetables, hybrid rice, oilseeds, and pulses

Bangladesh now produces around 8 million tonnes of vegetables year-round, yet the majority of high-yield and hybrid seeds are imported.

The agriculture ministry estimates annual demand at 3,130 tonnes, but private firms put it at 4,000–4,500 tonnes. In FY25, 1,800 tonnes of vegetable seeds and 850 tonnes of leafy vegetable seeds were imported — including radish (1,126 tonnes), okra (341 tonnes), chilli (90 tonnes), and bitter gourd (39 tonnes).

Seeds for cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beetroot, and hybrid radish are almost entirely foreign.

Hybrid rice now covers about 16% of paddy land, contributing 21% of total production. About 20% of hybrid rice seeds are imported, while local hybrids still rely on parent seeds from India, China, and Vietnam.

BRRI Director General Md Khalequzzaman said the institute has developed eight hybrid rice varieties, with two more pending approval, and plans to expand commercial production through BADC and private firms. "These outperform imported hybrids," he said.

Meanwhile, imports account for 85–90% of oilseed and 80% of pulse seeds, with annual demand at 26,947 tonnes and 23,127 tonnes, respectively.

Photo: Rajib Dhar

Experts warn of a growing vulnerability

Agricultural economists and sector insiders warn that this growing reliance on imported seeds could erode the foundations of Bangladesh's food security, making it vulnerable to external shocks and market volatility.

"Seeds are highly sensitive — if farmers don't get quality seeds on time, production will falter, threatening food security," said Jahangir Alam Khan, agricultural economist. "Bangladesh must adopt a long-term strategy for seed security and self-reliance."

Any strain in bilateral relations, Khan warned, could disrupt seed imports, while political or climatic issues in exporting countries could also trigger supply shocks.

Private sector seeks support for local innovation

Private seed firms say they face cost and climatic constraints in domestic seed production.

Mahbub Anam, managing director of Lal Teer Seed Ltd, said, "Jute seeds are cheap abroad, but local production is costly due to limited land and labour. Maize seeds require immediate processing, but Bangladesh lacks the scale. The private sector is trying to develop new varieties, but stronger government support is needed."

Mohammad Masum, founder and chairman of Supreme Seed Company Ltd, said local varieties cannot yet compete with imported ones. "Access to government research outputs could help reduce import dependence. Hybrid vegetable seeds, however, are still difficult to produce locally," he said.

"No one wants to rely on imported seeds, as they directly affect food security," Masum added. "With coordinated government–private efforts, we can achieve local self-sufficiency."

FH Ansarey, managing director and CEO of ACI Agribusinesses, was more optimistic. "Local seed production is expanding fast," he said. "We already produce many hybrid vegetable and rice seeds domestically. With stronger collaboration, Bangladesh can reach seed self-reliance soon."