One lakh farmers to get Aman seeds for free

Bayer Cropscience Limited – the Bangladesh branch of German-based company Bayer AG - is distributing free hybrid seeds among one lakh farmers in the country this Aman season.

Primarily, 15 farmers have received the seeds during the inauguration of the programme on Tuesday. 

Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak inaugurated the seed distribution programme through an online event organised through Zoom app.

The seeds were distributed among the farmers of Dhanbari upazila in Tangail, which is also the constituency of the minister. 

The seeds will be distributed for free among one lakh farmers of 200 upazilas of 50 districts.

Target has been set to cultivate hybrid 'AZ 7006 variety' seed in 50,000 acres of land. It will provide 25-35 per cent more yields than usual seeds.

At the same time, this rice variety stays fine under water for 15 days. The rice plant is resistant to leaf fall as well.

Inaugurating the programme, the minister said, "We will observe if the harvest is good this time. If we get additional harvest, we will inspire the farmers to take this seed."   

However, MA Sattar Mandal, emeritus professor and former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University, said, "The seeds of private companies should be released in the country's market."

"It will help farmers find out the perfect one. And high-yielding varieties are very important to us," he added.