Advanta plays a part in Bangladesh’s amazing maize growth
- In Bangladesh, Advanta is selling seeds for okra, hot pepper, tomato, and gourds
- Advanta’s virus-resistant okra has saved farmers from significant crop loss.
Advanta Seeds, one of the world’s leading seed companies, along with its global brands Alta and Pacific Seeds, has a global footprint in 84 countries, including Bangladesh. It has played a pivotal role in the country’s amazing success in maize production over the last two decades.
Since the inception of commercial maize farming in Bangladesh in the mid-90s, its yearly output has grown from a paltry 65,000 tons in 1997-98 to over six million tons now. Thanks to the Bangladesh government’s policy support in the late 90s in favor of introducing hybrid maize in the country and a Brac-led initiative of providing farmers with Advanta-bred highly productive hybrid maize seeds, Bangladesh is now largely meeting its feed needs for a burgeoning poultry industry through domestic production.
Almost 100% of the country’s maize acreage is covered by hybrids.
Advanta Seeds is operating in Bangladesh through the legal entity of RiceCo International Bangladesh Ltd. Dr ABM Ziaur Rahman is working as the Country Manager-Bangladesh for Advanta Seeds.
Bangladesh is one of the emerging vegetable crop markets in South Asia with a market value of $28 million in FY 2020-21 and expected to grow at a 13% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to $45 million by FY 2025-26.
In Bangladesh, Advanta is selling seeds for okra, hot pepper, tomato, and gourds, among other vegetables.
Its virus-resistant okra has saved farmers from significant crop loss.
Advanta introduced hybrid maize under Pacific Seeds. Advanta’s new generation maize hybrids have a high shelling percentage and good test weight. Its innovative products have enabled Advanta to be one of the leading players in the maize market.
A growing poultry industry is supporting the increase of corn acreages. Maize market value was around $45 million in FY 2020-21.
Advanta has also introduced rice seeds with traits such as high-yielding, pest- and disease-resistant.
Advanta’s forage seeds are widely accepted by dairy farmers, with almost a 30% market share. The Advanta varieties provide high yield volume, high-quality milk, and lower costs.
Source Link : https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/agriculture/342448/advanta-plays-a-part-in-bangladesh-s-amazing-maize
