Two BADC officials suspended over distribution of faulty onion seeds to farmers
Two officials of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) have been suspended over their alleged involvement in distributing onion seeds with low germination rate that caused hefty losses to farmers, the agriculture ministry said today (9 December).
The officials are Md Mahbubur Rahman, joint director of Seed Laboratory, BADC, Dhaka and convener of Onion Seed Evaluation Committee; and Shahana Akhter, deputy director of Vegetable Seed Processing Centre, BADC, Dhaka and member secretary of Onion Seed Evaluation Committee.
"A news report was published in the media stating that the germination rate of onion seeds distributed in some districts of the country in the current season was unusually low. The claim has been primarily confirmed by the District Agricultural Extension office and the Deputy Commissioner's office of the districts concerned," the agriculture ministry said in a statement.
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In this incident, the ministry found "negligence, misconduct and inefficiency" on part of the two officials in performing their duties, reads the statement.
In the same incident, the ministry also ordered Md Mostafizur Rahman, contractually appointed member director (Seeds and Horticulture), BADC, Dhaka, to refrain from performing his duties.
In the report submitted by the seed evaluation committee on 7 November 2024, the winter germination rate of Tahirpur variety of onion seeds purchased by BADC was shown as 80% and 81%.
However, the germination rate in the farmer's field, especially in Faridpur and Rajbari districts, was found to be 10% to 20%. This shows that the evaluation committee's report was not correct.
"The ministry will investigate the matter further and take strict action against the officials involved and the seed supplying company," adds the statement.
