BASF “co-creates” with 250 Bangladesh farmers to improve sustainable farming

In collaboration with farmers, employees, retailers and suppliers in Bangladesh, BASF, one of the world’s leading agricultural solutions providers, aims to “co-create” solutions to make farming more sustainable. BASF recently conducted a dialog session with 250 farmers in Bangladesh to gain first-hand knowledge about the needs of the local farmers.

As the world’s fourth largest producer of rice, with over 11 million hectares farmed, Bangladesh will play a crucial global role in sustainable farming. “Farmers in Bangladesh and around the world have the biggest job on earth,” said Gustavo Palerosi Carneiro, head of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions in Asia Pacific. “BASF is committed to helping farmers meet the increasing demand for high-quality and nutritious food in a safe and sustainable manner. To do this, we need to work with farmers directly, so that we can address local needs.”

At a meeting organized by BASF and its local partner Shetu Pesticides Limited in Nandigram, Bogra District, more than 250 farmers shared their experience and discussed the challenges they face. Concerns raised included increasing pest resistance, the growing impact of climate change, the high cost of farming inputs, and concerns about the safety of pesticides for farmers and the environment.

One of the challenges for rice farmers was ensuring good control of rice blast disease, as well as pests, such as stem borers and brown plant hoppers, which cause significant crop damage.

Avinash Deshmukh, Vice President of Marketing, BASF’s Agricultural Solutions in Asia Pacific said, “Farmers face increasing pest pressure on their crops and need new solutions to combat this challenge. Our mission is to provide innovative crop protection products that help growers boost yields and income, while avoiding any potential harm for themselves, their families and the environment.”

Farmers at the meeting had the chance to see rice plants treated with Seltima®, allowing them to evaluate its effectiveness first hand. The unique encapsulation technology of Seltima ensures a controlled release of the active ingredient, providing higher and longer-lasting product performance while protecting the health of the aquatic environment of a rice paddy.

BASF plans to introduce new solutions for sustainable farming in Bangladesh

BASF is planning to introduce several new crop protection solutions for rice, corn and vegetable farmers in Bangladesh over the next five years. Sazzadul Hassan, Chairman and Managing Director of BASF Bangladesh Limited, said, “Setting up an open dialog with distributors, retailers and farmers is an effective way to understand how BASF can provide support to farmers. We will continue to develop sustainable solutions that meet their challenges in the future.”

BASF launched its Seltima fungicide in 2017 to help farmers control blast disease in an environmentally-friendly,sustainable manner, resulting in improved grain yield and quality. The company is also working to introduce its Xemco™ insecticide in Bangladesh, which provides effective control of common rice pests, such as stem borers, brown plant hoppers and leaf folders.

Already launched in India and Australia earlier this year, BASF’s latest insecticide innovation, Sefina™, provides fast control of piercing and sucking pests, such as whiteflies on vegetable crops. Derived from a fermentation process of naturally occurring fungus, Sefina has a lower environmental impact than many other insecticides. BASF is working to secure regulatory approvals to offer Sefina in Bangladesh by 2020.