'Stern action to be taken against sale of substandard seeds'

Minister for Agriculture Punjab Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh has said that provincial government would not allow seed mafia to exploit the poor farmers. Stern and immediate action will be taken against seed companies involved in sale of fake, substandard seeds.
He warned that strict disciplinary action will also be taken against culprits in the department. He directed Punjab Seed Corporation to ensure availability of quality seeds of crops to the farmers at reasonable price during current Kharif season 2012-13. He was reviewing supply and demand gap of seeds of Kharif crops on Thursday.
He was told that total seed requirement for cotton, rice maize and moong crops are 49,416 tons, 26,952 tons, 15,588 tons and 5,772 tons, respectively. The meeting was further told that out of total requirement, 9,883 tons quality seed of cotton, 5,390.4 tons of rice, 3,117.6 tons of maize and 1,154.4 tons of moong seed will be prepared at 20 per cent replacement during current Khairf season.
He was informed that 50 per cent of quality seed will be prepared by Punjab Seed Corporation whereas remaining will be provided to the farmers through private sector. Managing Director (MD) Punjab Seed Corporation Altaf Ezed Khan, speaking on the occasion said, that seed has prepared 25,000 maunds of cotton seed out, which 10,000 maunds has been sold to the framers at affordable prices so far.
He further said that out of 71,000 bags of paddy seed prepared by PSC, 30,000 bags have also been sold. Action plan for preparation of wheat seed during forthcoming Rabi season was also discussed. Underling the importance of seed in productivity enhancement, the minister said that Punjab government had special focus on provision of quality seeds to the farmers at reasonable prices for which an effective policy had been implemented.
He said that special instructions had been issued to the concerned departments for strict monitoring of seed companies in this regard for quality control. Director General Agriculture (Research) Dr Noor-ul-Islam, Director of Agriculture (extension) Malik Waqar Hussain, Director Agricultural Information Punjab Muhmmad Rafiq Akhtar, Deputy Managing Director Punjab Seed Corporation Dr Ajmal Haider and regional Director Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department Chaudhry Liaqat Ali were also present on the occasion.