Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), which marks its 65th anniversary on 16 October, is expanding its role in seed production, irrigation, fertiliser distribution and agricultural technology as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen food security and modernise farming.
Established on October 16, 1961, the state-run corporation produced 144,000 tonnes of seeds and distributed 147,000 tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year, said a press release.
BADC began distributing seeds in 1962-63 with around 13.8 tonnes. It now supplies seeds for rice, wheat, maize, potatoes, jute, pulses, spices, vegetables and oilseeds, working with 105,775 contract farmers.
Its research cell has registered 40 high-yielding and promising crop varieties. The corporation is also prioritising varieties tolerant of salinity, drought and waterlogging to help farmers adapt to climate change.
During FY26, BADC projects extended irrigation facilities to an additional 22,000 hectares. The
corporation excavated or re-excavated 820 kilometres of canals, constructed 662 irrigation structures and installed 161 solar-powered irrigation pumps.
Under a government five-year plan to restore 20,000 kilometres of canals and waterways nationwide, BADC has been assigned 9,000 kilometres of work to improve surface-water availability and expand irrigation.
The corporation imported 2.627 million tonnes of non-urea fertiliser in FY26 and distributed 2.401 million tonnes, meeting 75.37% of national demand. It supplies subsidised fertiliser through 148 warehouses across 64 districts.
BADC has also proposed converting 50,900 diesel-powered irrigation pumps to solar power across 56 districts. The project is expected to save Tk176.40 crore annually.
To reduce dependence on imported seeds, the corporation aims to produce 5,000 tonnes of jute seeds annually from the 2029-30 production year. It is also expanding domestic hybrid maize and summer onion seed production.
Meanwhile, BADC has established 82 polytunnels nationwide, with another 60 planned by June 2028, to support year-round cultivation. Its fresh-produce treatment facility in Gabtali, Dhaka, has also begun treating mangoes for domestic consumption and export.
BADC Chairman Md Azizul Islam has stressed responsible and transparent service delivery to advance agricultural development and strengthen national food security.
