System of Seed Production
The National Seed Board recognized three classes of seed based on genetic identity and verified purity. B A D C produces and distributes only foundation and certified seeds.
Production of Foundation Seed
The pulses and oilseeds project of BADC has three foundation seed farms, a 20-ha farm at Amjhupi, Meherpur, a 12-ha farm at Tebunia, Pabna, and a 3-ha farm at Faridpur for the production of oilseeds and pulses. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur and the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh are responsible for the production, processing, preservation, and supply of breeders seed of pulses, as well as for maintenance breeding. The concerned plant breeders/ organizations are required to supply the seed-producing agency with an indented quantity of breeders' seed. In principle, foundation seed is required to be produced in the foundation-seed multiplication farm (FSMF) of the pulses and oilseeds project out of breeders' seed. If for some reason breeders' seed is not available from the concerned breeders' organizations, then the best seed available with BADC is utilized for the production of foundation seed.
The target for production of foundation seed is fixed in advance of the actual requirement by the Member Director (Seed), BADC. The Project Director (Pulses and Oilseeds) maintains close liaison and submits indents for breeders' seeds to the primary agricultural research institutes/breeders. The Pulses and Oilseeds Division collects breeders' seed and transports it to the foundation-seed farms, in conformity with the national target for seed production. On receipt of the breeders' seed, agronomists at the foundation-seed farms grow the same with special care. The Project Director (Pulses and Oilseeds) arranges to examine the foundation-seed plots with the help of a field inspection committee (FIC) constituted from the headquarters by the Member-Director (Seed), BADC and accepts the seed plots which meet the prescribed standards. The seed agronomist harvests, threshes, dries and cleans the seed from the accepted seed plots with great care. Seeds are tested for germination, purity, and moisture. The seed lots which meet the procurement standard are preserved in the respective foundation seed farm's pulses and oilseeds processing centres. Periodic drying and testing are done in the storage centres. The lots of stored foundation seeds are offered to the seed agronomist, Central Seeds Testing Laboratory, BADC, Dhaka for testing. Seeds of only the accepted seed lots of prescribed standards are packed, labeled, and tagged for distribution as foundation seed.
Production of Certified Seed
The seed produced from the foundation seed is known as certified seed. Certified seed is also produced from the first generation of certified seed/first-class certified seed in case of a shortage of foundation seed. Certified seed is meant for distribution to farmers in general. The production, processing, and preservation of certified seed is controlled by the Pulses and Oilseeds Division under the Member-Director (Seed), BADC. The Divisional Headquarters is in Dhaka and is managed by the Project Director (Pulses and Oilseeds), Deputy Director, and Assistant Directors. The target for the production of certified seed pulses is fixed by the Member-Director (Seed) one season in advance of the requirement. The following factors are taken into consideration when the target is fixed: 1. past distribution trend of seeds by variety; 2. indent of seed from Regional Manager (Seed) and Department of Agricultural Extension; 3. scheme provision for the distribution of certified seed; and 4. stock of carry-over seed, if any.
The production of certified seed of pulses is made in the Foundation Pulses and Oilseeds Farms, Seed Multiplication Farms, and Jute-Seed Multiplication Farms.
Quality Control System of Seed
Pulses seed has not yet been included in the certificate program of the Seed Certification Agency. However, to ensure supply of quality seed BADC has formed a system of quality control of its own which includes field inspection, testing, and labeling by assigned personnel of the corporation.
Processing, Preservation, and Packing of Seed
The certified-seed plots of pulses are inspected by a Field Inspection Committee formed by the MemberDirector (Seed). The accepted plots are harvested, threshed, cleaned, and dried by the respective officers. On the basis of a lifting program issued by the MemberDirector (Seed) and the Seed Agronomist, the Seed Processing Centres lift only the seed which conforms to the specified quality. The seeds are processed and stored in the Seed Processing Centres. Before sowing begins these seeds are offered to the Central Seed Testing Laboratory of BADC for testing and only the seed from the accepted lots is packed, labeled, and tagged for distribution as certified seed.
Seed Distribution and Sale
According to the distribution program issued from the headquarters, the seed agronomist despatches the seed to the Regional Manager (Seed), BADC. The seed is sold from the seed sale center directly to farmers on a first-come-first-served basis at the rate fixed by the headquarters.