Explainer: Why seed security is vital for Bangladesh's food future

Infograph: TBS

Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in achieving near self-sufficiency in food production. Yet experts warn that this progress may not be sustainable without ensuring seed security – the very foundation of every crop that sustains the country's food system.

What is seed security and why does it matter?

Seed security refers to a country's ability to produce, store, and distribute high-quality seeds domestically, without relying excessively on imports. When farmers depend on foreign seeds, any disruption in supply, political tension, or price hike in exporting countries can threaten agricultural productivity and, ultimately, food security.

"As high-yield varieties expand, farmers find it harder to preserve seeds," said agricultural economist Jahangir Alam Khan.

"Government institutions develop new varieties, but the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) still faces capacity constraints, while the private sector mostly imports and distributes seeds rather than investing in local R&D."

Imported seeds also pose risks.

They can have poor germination rates or fail to adapt to local soil and climate conditions, leading to financial losses for farmers and traders.

Bangladesh's growing dependency

Over the past two decades, Bangladesh's seed system has shifted from local production to heavy reliance on imports. The country produces most of its rice and potato seeds domestically, but for almost every other crop – including jute, maize, oilseeds, pulses, and vegetables – it depends largely on foreign sources.

Every year, Bangladesh needs about 6,000 to 6,400 tonnes of jute seeds, of which nearly 75-80% are imported from India. For maize, annual seed demand stands at around 15,000 tonnes, and an overwhelming 90-95% of that comes from abroad, mostly from India, Thailand, and the US. The situation is similar for vegetables – of the roughly 4,000 to 4,500 tonnes of seeds required annually, around 60% are imported.

The country's dependence is even greater for oilseeds and pulses. Bangladesh requires approximately 27,000 tonnes of oilseed and 23,000 tonnes of pulse seeds annually, with 80-90% of these sourced from foreign suppliers.

Jute: A fibre crop still tied to imports

Bangladesh is the world's second-largest jute producer, earning around $820 million annually from jute and jute goods exports. Yet, it imports around 4,000-5,000 tonnes of jute seeds from India every year.

The Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) has developed 57 local seed varieties, but adoption remains limited due to higher production costs and lower yields compared to imported ones. Most farmers prefer the Indian JRO 524 variety, which performs better under local conditions.

Farmer Ahsan Habib from Naogaon told The Business Standard, "The Indian variety grows better."

BJRI acting director general Nargis Akhter believes that self-sufficiency is achievable if improved local varieties like Kenaf-4 are expanded.

"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.

Maize, vegetables, and oilseeds: Crops of concern

Bangladesh's maize production has tripled over the past decade to 7.3 million tonnes, yet the country depends almost entirely on imported seeds – between 90% and 95%.

Vegetables tell a similar story: though Bangladesh produces 8 million tonnes of vegetables annually, about 60% of the seeds – including for cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and hybrid radish – come from abroad.

Oilseeds and pulses, essential for edible oil and protein supply, are among the most import-dependent crops. Around 85-90% of oilseed and 80% of pulse seeds are imported, leaving the country exposed to global price and supply shocks.

The way forward

Experts argue that to protect its food system, Bangladesh must first secure its seeds. Jahangir Alam Khan recommends a five- to seven-year national plan to achieve seed self-sufficiency through stronger coordination among government agencies, BADC, and private firms.

"Seeds are the foundation of food security," he said.

"If farmers don't get quality seeds on time, production will falter, threatening the country's food stability."

Private sector leaders agree, calling for greater access to government research outputs and more investment in local innovation.

"No one wants to rely on imported seeds, as they directly affect food security," said Mohammad Masum, chairman of Supreme Seed Company Ltd.

Bangladesh's journey toward food security will only be complete when it can also claim seed security – ensuring that the nation's future harvests begin with seeds sown in its own soil.