Importance of Genetics in crop improvement & economics of Bangladesh By MD. MASUDUL HASSAN Faculty of agribusiness management Sau,dhaka-1207

1. Welcome to our presentation
Presentation Topic:
Importance of Genetics in crop improvement
& economics of Bangladesh

2. Presented by
Group name: Gladiolus
Member:
10-03992 MD. MASUDUL HASSAN
10-03964 MD. ROBIUL ISLAM
10-03940 SONIA NUSRIN
10-04037 MD. SAZZAD BIN AZAD
11-04651 Md. Rishad Hasan

3. Crop genetic resources are the basis of agricultural production, and
significant economic benefits have resulted from their conservation use.

4. Bangladesh constitutes a large part of the South Asian Mega Centre of
genetic diversity. The landscape of Bangladesh is the abode of some 5 000
species of vascular plants1. There are more than 500 species of medicinal
plants, 130 species of fibre resources (both wild and cultivated), 18
species of bamboo. It is the secondary centre of origin of major crops
like rice, a number of vegetables like eggplant, the cucurbits, beans, fruits
like jackfruit, banana, mango and citrus, spices like chilli, ginger and
turmeric etc.
Country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
Bangladesh. www.fao.org

5. What is a wild plant today can turn out to be an important plant
tomorrow with our new knowledge about its intrinsic value in food and
nutrition, in medicare, its new use through new processing technology;
the contributions that plant genetic resources make in keeping a sound
environment and in sustaining the ecosystem notwithstanding.

6. Increased Use of Plant Genetic Resources :
the number of germplasm used for breeding, seed enhancement and supply
by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute was 590
accessions, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute about 20 000
accessions, Bangladesh Tea Research Institute about 30, Cotton
Development Board 130, Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute 229,
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute 2 915, east West Seed (Bd.) Limited
Bangladesh 5 263 and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujiubur Rahman Agricultural
University used 547.
Country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
Bangladesh. www.fao.org

8. State of food security :
Despite a significant progress in domestic food grain
production in recent decades (from 11.0 million tons in
1971 to about 27.0 million tons 2007), widespread poverty and food
insecurity prevails in the country. The long-term strategy calls for
redressing the poverty problem from at least two fronts: (a) a steady
supply of food at a price affordable to the general mass of the
people, and (b) increasing and diversifying income opportunities for
the poor that would ensure their purchasing power. In meeting
these pre-conditions, the government aims to ensure
increased food production through (i) improved efficiency in
production, (ii) an increased efficiency in the food distribution
system and (iii) increased trade and commerce.
Country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
Bangladesh. www.fao.org

9. Agriculture – a changing scenario
Bangladesh agriculture, as we indicated above, is gradually transforming from the
subsistence production system to commercial agriculture. Under the traditional
subsistence farming practices, the farmers produced crops mainly for
household consumption and the surplus, if any, was sold in the market.
The importance of traditional cash crops (jute, sugarcane, tobacco, etc.) of
Bangladeshi farmers has diminished with time. Of necessity, farmers are now turning
towards food crops like rice, wheat, fruits and vegetables for commercial production
and for cash earning. This trend of commercialization of agriculture is clearly visible
nowadays in the production systems being followed by the farmers of the country.

10. The seed supply system :
With the change of subsistence crop production system to commercial
agriculture, an accompanying change in the seed. supply system is now
noticeable. Farmers now look for quality seeds in the market, instead of the
traditional practice of saving seeds for growing in the next season. The private
seed entrepreneurship in Bangladesh started in early 1970s accelerated during
1990s and exhibited a sustained growth well into 2000s16.Up until 1990s, the
officially recognized seed production and distribution agency was the
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), a public sector
organization. Agricultural research institutes, universities and others
involved in crop variety development, supply Breeder Seed to BADC for
production of Foundation Seed and Certified Seed. The National Seed Policy
(NSP) declared in 1993 made provisions for private sector to play a role in
seed production and distribution.
Country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
Bangladesh. www.fao.org

11. Wild plants related to cultivated crops
More than 300 wild indigenous species of plants have been
identified that are relatives to the cultivated crops grown in
Bangladesh22 (Appendix Table 1).

12. Country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture Bangladesh. www.fao.org

13. Changing relative importance of crops

14. Increased productivity & Export:
There are more than 160 crops grown in
Bangladesh13. Rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses,
oilseeds, potato and vegetables are the main food
crops. The other major crops are sugarcane, jute
and tea. With a rapid increase in vegetable
production by using HYV in recent years, some
vegetables are now exported to a number of
countries in the Middle east and the European
Union.
Country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture Bangladesh.
www.fao.org

15. According to the information received from the Rice Exporters
Association of Bangladesh, a total of 10,000 and 8,500 metric tons of
aromatic fine rice were exported in 2006 and 2007 respectively mainly to
USA, UK, Canada, Italy and some middle-eastern countries by using
HYV of Rice.
http://www.foodsecurityatlas.org/bgd/country/availability/agricultural-production

16. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR PATIENCE.
THANKS
TO
ALL