BADC Dashmina Seed Multiplication Farm (2013–2017): Leading Operations at Asia’s Largest Government Seed Farm
By Md. Mamunur Reza (Assistant Program Director, APCU-BADC PARTNER & PhD Fellow)
Event Period: July 16, 2013 – June 30, 2017 | Station: Dashmina Seed Multiplication Farm, BADC, Patuakhali (with Foundation Attachment at Dattonagor SM Farm & Seed Processing Unit at Barisal)
My professional journey in public-sector agricultural engineering and seed systems began on July 16, 2013 at the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). Following my foundational attachment at the historic Dattonagor Seed Multiplication Farm, I was posted to the Dashmina Seed Multiplication Farm in Patuakhali—recognized as the largest government-controlled seed multiplication farm in Asia.
Core Operational Pillars (2013–2017)
Operating across the coastal agro-ecological zone of southern Bangladesh required resilient land engineering, salinity-aware drainage management, and strict adherence to national seed certification standards:
- Large-Scale Farm Development: Reclaiming, leveling, and upgrading irrigation and drainage infrastructure across expansive coastal seed blocks at Dashmina SM Farm.
- Multiplication of Diverse Crop Seeds: Managing breeder-to-foundation and foundation-to-certified seed multiplication schedules for rice, pulses, oilseeds, and winter vegetables.
- Seed Testing Laboratory Management: Directing germination percentage assays, moisture equilibrium testing, physical purity grading, and seed health diagnostics prior to lot certification.
- Seed Processing Unit (Barisal): Coordinating mechanical drying, air-screen cleaning, gravity separation, and moisture-proof packaging at the regional Seed Processing Center in Barisal.
- Adaptive Research of Diverse Crops: Conducting multi-season field trials to evaluate stress-tolerant varieties suited for Bangladesh’s southern coastal belt.
“Four years on the front lines of Asia’s largest government seed farm taught me that national food security starts with genetic purity, soil-water discipline, and precision post-harvest processing.”
Complete 12-Point Operational & FAO Collaborative Mandate (From LinkedIn Record)
- Farm Masterplan Execution: Planning and executing the comprehensive masterplan for Asia’s largest government-controlled seed multiplication farm at Dashmina, Patuakhali.
- Irrigation, Seed & Input Logistics: Managing canal/pump irrigation networks, breeder seed allocations, balanced fertilizers, and crop protection inputs.
- FAO International Collaboration: Conducting joint fieldwork with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) specialists on seed production, mechanical processing, seed marketing, and integrated rodent pest management.
- Local Weather Station & Coastal Char-Land Adaptive Trials: Maintaining the on-farm agro-meteorological weather station and running adaptive crop trials tailored for saline coastal and riverine Char lands.
- Large-Scale Mechanized Seed Processing & Staff Administration: Supervising large technical and field labor cohorts, overseeing staff welfare and administration, and organizing national agricultural fairs and field days.