Dr. M. L. Chadha, Director, Regional Center for South Asia, AVRDC visited the Research & Development centre (R&D) of Energypac Agro Ltd. (EAL) at Hotapara, Gazipur on 16 February 2010 afternoon. He was accompanied by Dr. H. Fonseka, Senior Program Specialist, Dr. M Nurul Alam, Senior Program Specialist and Ms. Nasrin Akter, Senior Program Officer of SAARC Agricultural centre (SAC). Dr. Chadha and his group were greeted by Dr. S. B. Naseem, Senior Vice President of EAL, along with the scientists of the R&D centre. Dr. Naseem briefed the group about the ongoing research activity of the centre as well as the future plan of the company. Dr. Chadha, in his comment, emphasized on producing good seeds to boost the country's vegetable production. The per capita vegetable consumption is only 80g/day/person in Bangladesh as against WHO's recommendation of 200g/day/person. The per capita consumption could be increased by using hybrid vegetable seeds. AVRDC can provide germplasm and advanced breeding lines to EAL to develop hybrid varieties of different vegetables.

Dr. Chadha and his group also visited the experimental fields of different vegetables and suggested the breeders to maintain safe and sustainable vegetable seed production system. He also emphasized on good seed processing facility to maintain the quality of seeds. Director, Horticulture of BARI, Dr. A Haque and IFC-SEDF consultants, Mr. K. A. Billah, Mr. K. A. Kabir and Dr. Anwar Hossain were also present during Dr. Chadha's visit.