Kamrul Hasan : A citizen dialogue on the importance of agroecology in protecting indigenous seed resources and agricultural biodiversity was held in Manikganj, under the theme “Protect Natural Resources, Build a Greener World.”

The event took place on Saturday (22 November) at the BRDB hall room in Manikganj Sadar Upazila, organized by the non-governmental development organization BARCIK.

The dialogue was presided over by Nasir Mahmud, Agriculture Extension Officer of Manikganj Sadar Upazila. The session was moderated by BARCIK Project Officer Md. Nazrul Islam. Md. Anwar Hossain, Senior Fisheries Officer of Manikganj Sadar Upazila, attended as the chief guest.

BARCIK’s Regional Coordinator in Manikganj, Bimal Chandra Roy, delivered the welcome speech. Among others, BRDB Chairman Md. Awlad Hossain, Vice-Chairman Md. Yusuf Ali, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Mizanur Rahman, and Ratna Akter also spoke at the event.

Highlighting the importance of preserving indigenous seeds, speakers at the dialogue said that ensuring a sustainable agricultural system requires the conservation of locally adapted native seed varieties first and foremost.

According to them, climate-change-induced uncertainties in agriculture are increasing. Irregular drought in the monsoon, unexpected floods, excessive rainfall, crop losses, and heightened pest attacks have become frequent challenges. Indigenous varieties provide greater resilience in such situations, as these seeds have evolved over generations—adapted naturally to local soil, water, climate, and biodiversity.

Speakers also warned about the risks of overdependence on hybrid and imported seeds. Such dependency reduces farmers’ control over seeds, increases production costs, and forces them to purchase new seeds every season. In the long run, this threatens agricultural independence and biodiversity. They emphasized the need to encourage farmers and youth to cultivate, preserve, exchange, and expand the use of indigenous seeds while promoting organic farming practices.

The dialogue also featured an extensive discussion on agroecology. Speakers noted that agroecology integrates nature, environment, and agricultural production into a unified system. This approach helps enhance soil organic matter, conserve water, reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, protect pollinators, and strengthen field biodiversity.