Abdul Awal
Bangladesh | Seed Production
Until the 1990s, Bangladesh faced poor seed production and supply, resulting in low yields. Recognizing the need for quality seeds to enhance food security, Abdul Awal, Chairman of Multimode Group, established Lal Teer Seed Limited in 1995. The company now supplies 30% of Bangladesh’s seed demand. To improve nutrition and income for marginal farmers, Awal initiated crop diversification by introducing vegetables into rice-based systems. To break the cycle of poverty, smallholders need access to high-quality seeds that boost yields and incomes. In 2011, Awal expanded Lal Teer, establishing Lal Teer Livestock Development Limited to improve meat and milk production, producing quality semen from genetically superior bulls for sustainable artificial insemination. Awal’s extensive interaction with farmers through gatherings and knowledge-sharing programs has improved livestock productivity. His relentless efforts to enhance food and nutrition security have made him an iconic figure in Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.