Trade and Knowledge Sharing in HYV Rice Seeds : Scope for Cooperation between Bangladesh and India

In Bangladesh and India, serious problems with regard to making high-yielding variety (HYV) rice seeds available and accessible to farmers are noticed. A significant gap exists between demand and supply of most desired and adaptable varieties. In India, while the overall supply of HYV rice seeds is seemingly sufficient, it is not enough considering specific variety needs of farmers and variations in soil types and farming practices. In Bangladesh, it is noted that the supply of variety rice seeds is only around one-third of its demand.Mismatch between demand and supply often results in use of regenerated rice seeds for several years, compromising rice yield and productivity. This has also led to emergence of informal rice seeds market and, more importantly, informal flow of rice seeds on both sides of the border between Bangladesh and India. Informal flow across the border can be considered a good indicator of adaptability of rice seed varieties across the border.While the problem continues, and despite the fact that there exists scope and potential considering similarities in agro-climatic conditions and food habits of people in the two countries, no serious attempt has been made through promotion of trade and cooperation to address the problem. Moreover, despite some impressive achievements in terms of increased rice seeds production at the national level; the two countries have not been able to produce, market and distribute varieties desired and most adaptable to local conditions.Against this background, trade and cooperation between Bangladesh and India seems to be potent tool. While trade could lead to increased availability and better accessibility of desired variety seeds in the immediate timeframe, cooperation could lead to research and development of new and better varieties, reduce the time period for research and development, and also reduce the time period between seed development and trial on the one hand and their availability on the other. Joint research and collaboration and also knowledge sharing could pave the way to such an enabling environment.Given this background, this study is prepared under a project titled ‘Addressing Barriers to Rice Seeds Trade between India and Bangladesh' (RISTE project), supported by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It reveals ways through which trade and cooperation in rice seeds could be strengthened between the two countries