Bogura:Scientists at the Spices Research Centre (SRC) in Bogura have successfully developed nearly 60 high-yielding varieties of 27 spices since 1995. This advancement has been accompanied by the development of 150 production technologies, contributing to a significant increase in spice production and a reduction in import dependence across the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the SRC has played a crucial role in enhancing the country’s capacity to produce essential spices like onion, garlic, turmeric, and ginger. The government is focusing on research to further develop new varieties and enhance production to meet domestic demand.
The SRC's innovations have helped farmers increase their income by integrating spice cultivation alongside main crops, bolstering the overall agricultural economy. However, the conversion of land for foodgrain production due to rising population and food demands has led to a decline in domestic spice output, necessitating imports to bridge the supply gap.
Currently, spices are cultivated on 4.48 lakh hectares in the country, yielding approximately 48.78 lakh metric tonnes. After accounting for storage losses, the actual output is about 34 lakh metric tonnes, against a demand of 47.88 lakh metric tonnes, resulting in a deficit of 13 lakh metric tonnes.
Principal Scientific Officer Dr. Md Masud Alam emphasized the importance of the SRC in spice research and highlighted the success of farmers using SRC-developed high-yielding varieties and technologies. He noted that enhanced infrastructure, including modern laboratories and storage facilities, is essential for maintaining spice quality and ensuring fair prices for farmers year-round.
The SRC is actively working on reducing dependency on imported spices by encouraging the cultivation of local varieties and offering incentives for farmers. Additionally, preservation methods have been developed to minimize post-harvest losses of various spice crops.
Project Director Md Masudur Rahman reported that despite exceeding production demand, storage challenges necessitate the import of spices like chilli. The project is addressing this by providing chilli dryer machines and promoting strategic cultivation periods to mitigate shortages.
Director General Md Abdur Rahim of the Department of Agricultural Extension highlighted the distribution of air flow machines to enhance onion preservation, eliminating the need for imports this year. Efforts are also underway to develop monsoon-tolerant chilli varieties to further reduce import needs.
The initiatives undertaken by the SRC and related projects are set to bolster spice production, reduce import reliance, and contribute positively to the agricultural economy of the country.