Draft to amend Seed Act finalised

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has finalised the draft of a bill to amend Seed Act 1976, recommending active participation of the private sector in breeding of new seed varieties, an official told Business Recorder here on Monday. The proposed legislation was drafted in consultation with the law ministry and it may shortly be referred to the concerned National Assembly standing committee for consideration before tabling it in the parliament.
The changes in the Seed Act-1976 are being made with a view to promote seed quality - an essential requirement for increasing production of crops. The induction of the private sector in seed breeding would also promote competition, and thereby, lower the prices, the official said.
In the draft legislation, it has been proposed that provincial governments should also be allowed to develop seed varieties through research by using their own resources, the official said.
Unfortunately, the seed quality had not remained up to the mark in the past and this is believed to be one of the major factors that affected the production of crops.
Per hectare wheat yield in the developed countries is approximately 1,300kg, but in Pakistan, the yield remained less than at 1,000kg. One of the factors for lower output of the principal food grain was the unavailability of quality seed in the market.
The draft legislation calls for adopting strict measures to ensure the quality of seeds.
Farmers would be ensured that there would not be any kind of shortage during the sowing seasons (Rabi and Kharif).
In order to ensure seed quality, it has been proposed that the number of seed inspectors should 'considerably' be enhanced. Currently, their strength is around 800 across the country. The legislation calls for enhancing this number, the official said. He said that with changes in the seed act, the Minfal expects multi-national companies would be attracted to invest in this 'very important' sector.
The new law also guarantees rights of seed breeders. The 1976 act had some lacunae because such rights were not guaranteed there. Under the WTO requirements, breeders must have their rights guaranteed, the official said.