Tk265cr project to boost local pulses, edible oil production

The government has launched a major initiative to cut reliance on imports and boost domestic production of pulses and edible oils, aiming to enhance food security, support farmers, and ensure fair prices for consumers.

A senior official of the Planning Commission told Daily Sun the Ministry of Agriculture has proposed a project titled “Enhancing Sustainable Nutrition Security through Quality Pulses and Oilseeds Production (Phase II).”

If approved, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) will implement the project over a five-year period, from November 2024 to June 2029, with an estimated budget of Tk265.78 crore.

The primary goal of the project is to meet the increasing demand for seeds while fostering a more sustainable and balanced approach to pulse and oilseed production.

It aims to boost national productivity through the cultivation, processing, and distribution of high-quality pulses and oilseeds. Each year, the project is expected to produce and distribute 18,000 tonnes of quality pulses and oilseeds to farmers.

Moreover, 2,000 contracted farmers will receive training to enhance their skills in processing, preservation, and management of pulses and oilseeds.

The initiative also includes plans to construct a pre-fabricated transit seed storage facility with a capacity of 600 tonnes and to introduce advanced technologies to facilitate farming operations.

Md Ferdous Rahman, chief (Planning) of the Planning Division at BADC, said, “Our primary objective is to improve farmers’ skills in processing, preservation, and technical knowledge regarding pulses and oilseeds. We aim to procure quality seeds from farmers and distribute them widely, thus reducing import reliance and ensuring fair pricing.”

He further noted, “At present, the majority of our pulses and edible oils are imported. This project will significantly reduce this dependency and enable us to provide quality seeds at fair prices.”

According to an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh’s annual demand for pulse seeds is 24,121 tonnes, but only 1,914 tonnes (around 8%) are sourced domestically. Similarly, the annual demand for oilseeds is 26,493 tonnes, yet only 3,680 tonnes (about 14%) are produced locally. The vast majority of demand is therefore met through imports.

Md Mahbubul Haque Patwary, additional secretary of the Planning Wing at the Ministry of Agriculture, said, “This project will empower farmers to become self-reliant in pulse and oilseed production. By producing seeds and selling them directly to farmers, we can reduce import dependency and provide quality seeds at lower costs.”

He added, “In districts where high-quality pulses and oilseeds are cultivated, we will distribute them through dealers.”

“Currently, over 80% of our pulses and oilseeds are imported. Our objective is to reduce this dependency, make quality seeds more accessible to farmers, and boost domestic production,” he concluded.