IRRI-BADC launches digital tool to improve rice supply in Bangladesh

Seed supply planning in Bangladesh has faced several challenges over the years, including reliance on manual processes, fragmented data, and a tendency for reactive decision-making. These factors can often lead to mismatches between the availability of seeds and the actual demand from farmers, resulting in shortages of quality seeds or the distribution of varieties that may not be ideal for local conditions. Furthermore, the growing risks associated with climate change add additional pressure on productivity and resilience for farmers.

To effectively address these challenges, it’s important to consider innovative approaches to seed distribution. We recognize the need for systems that prioritize anticipation over reaction, utilizing real-time data while taking into account the changing varietal preferences of farmers, diverse agroecological zones, and the effects of climate variability. This calls for the development of tools that can accurately gather location-specific insights and incorporate them into national seed planning frameworks.

In a spirit of collaboration, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), the World Bank, the Agency Program Coordination Unit (APCU), and the Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition Entrepreneurship and Resilience (PARTNER) are working together with IRRI to launch a digital seed demand forecasting initiative. This initiative aims to shift from traditional paper-based forecasting methods to a more data-driven and participatory system that can enhance timely, demand-aligned, and climate-smart seed supply.

This partnership between IRRI and BADC is focused on creating an innovative digital platform designed to collect feedback from farmers, seed dealers, and other stakeholders. By integrating this feedback with agro-climatic data, the aim is to produce predictive insights that align ground realities with institutional planning. Through this collaboration, IRRI and BADC are working together…