Production target of good quality seed fixed

Federal government has fixed a production target of 297,000 tons good quality seed for the year 2006-07, which include 201,700 tons of wheat seed, 62,000 tons of cotton seed and 11,900 tons of rice seed. According to official sources, the use of good quality seed is one of the basic requirements for increasing the production and yield of crops.
It has the potential to increase crop yield on an average of 20 percent over commercial seeds. The target for distribution of improved seed of different crops was 296,900 tons for the year 2005-06. About 227,800 tons improved seed was distributed showing an achievement of 76.7 percent.
A project entitled "Establishment of Seed Testing Laboratories and Rehabilitation of Existing Laboratories" will be continued. The project aims to extend seed certification cover according to the demand of the seed sector to promote certified seed production.
The availability of quality seed of various crops will enable the farmers to increase their crop productivity. Under the project, existing 16 seed testing laboratories have been strengthened through provision of additional laboratory equipment and manpower. In addition, 11 new laboratories have been established at various locations. The activities to be carried out include crop inspection and seed sampling/testing to monitor the quality of seed in the market.
Enforcement of Seed Act will be acted upon and accreditation of seed testing laboratories of the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department will be carried out.
Experts of Ayub Agriculture Research Institute Faisalabad stated that the certified seed plays a pivotal role in boosting agricultural production both in market oriented and subsistence farming. Certified seed in Pakistan is limited to wheat, cotton, paddy as major crops besides maize, gram, pulses fodder and oilseeds as well as minor crops, they added.
The Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department regulates quality during the flow of seed from the breeder to the growers. The department performs its functions through 17 seed testing laboratories and field offices, established in various ecological zones of the country.
To provide certified crop seeds to the growers from the public sector, the seed corporation in the Punjab and Sindh and the departments of agriculture in Balochistan and NWFP have been entrusted the task of seed production, processing and marketing. Government has permitted about 550 national seed companies for production and marketing of certified seeds. Their seed production activities are mostly confined to the above-mentioned major crops.
Private seed sector has not developed any research and development programme. They multiply varieties, developed by public sector. Research institutes are mostly maintained by Foundation Seed Cell of Punjab Seed Corporation.
Multinational seed companies mostly import hybrid corn, sunflower and forages seed. During (July-March 2005-06) 228,100 tons of improved seed was procured and 202,000 tons of improved seed was distributed, while 190,600 tons of improved seed was distributed during the same period last year.