0
Home
News
Directory
E-newsletter
Magazine
Events
Data
AgReport
Subscribe
Bangladesh collaborates with China to boost hybrid rice production
Aug. 26, 2014
The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) have collaborated with China's Sichuan Nongda High-tech Agriculture Co Ltd to develop and promote hybrid rice varieties in the country under the Hybrid Rice Cooperation Project, according to local sources.
According to sources at the Agriculture Ministry, the collaboration aims to get technological and financial support from China to boost rice production in the country as well as ensure food security. While the BRRI is responsible for research and development, BADC will oversee seed production, processing as well as marketing under the project.
China has agreed to provide a total Tk80 crore (around $10.3 million) funding towards setting up a Joint Research Center (JRC) under the project, according to local sources. Initially, it will provide around Tk 30 crore (around $3.87 million) and release the remaining funds in a phased manner. The JRC will be responsible to develop hybrid seeds specific for all the three rice producing seasons - Aus, Aman and Boro.
Currently, only 10-12% of Bangladesh production of around 34 million tons is based on hybrid seeds, according to the Director General of the Seed Wing of the Agriculture Ministry. Very few of the 62 rice varieties developed by the BRRI are also popular among farmers because of poor marketing, and farmers who use hybrid seeds are importing seeds from China through some private seed companies, he said. The DG of Seed Wing also noted that the government is keen on increasing hybrid seed production in the coming years to address the shrinking rice acreage.
Bangladesh has produced around 34.449 million tons of rice, basis milled, in FY 2013-14 (July - June), up about 2.7% from around 33.833 million tons produced in FY 2012-13, according to provisional official estimates from the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).
USDA estimates Bangladesh to produce around 34.8 million tons of rice in MY 2014-15 (May - April), up about 1% from an estimated 34.59 million tons in MY 2013-14. It estimates Bangladesh to import around 100,000 tons of rice in 2015, down about 75% from an estimated 400,000 tons in 2014. The country's rice consumption needs are estimated at around 34.8 million tons in MY 2014-15 slightly up from an estimated 34.6 million tons in MY 2013-14.
Source: oryza
More from AgroNews
Change
Hot TopicSubscribe
| Subscribe Email: | * | |
| Name: | ||
| Mobile Number: | ||
Comment
0/1200
NEWSLETTER