Workshop on 'capacity building in seed technology': public, private sectors' urged to help curb certified seed shortage

"Lack of availability of quality and certified seed is the major constraints to increase agricultural productivity. The public and private sectors' joint efforts can bring the country out of the crisis of certified seed shortage." This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing workshop on "Capacity building in seed technology" organized by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) at New Senate Hall.
He said Pakistan is importing hybrid seed of maize, rice, potatoes and other vegetables worth billions of rupees that could be saved by strengthening seed industry and farmers co-operatives. He said the use of certified seeds in various crops stands at only 20 percent. The rest of farming community is depending upon non-certified seed. He said during 2011-12, seed requirement of various crops in Pakistan was 1.5 million tons. The farmers ran short of 1.14 million tonnes of quality seed. He said that lack of quality seed, machinery and horse-power in Pakistan is hampering the process of increment in agricultural production. He said the University has set up a Seed Centre for conducting the valuable researches that will help in increasing the per acre production. He said the UAF is in the process of launching of seed sciences degree programme.
Dr Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Director General Federal Seed Certification and Registration said newly established Pakistan Seed Academy will strengthen the public-private partnership in seed innovations. He said this academy is meant to develop human resource in the field of seed technology. He added it would bring together stakeholders from national, multinational seed companies, public seed sectors and farmers association under single umbrella to share their problems and suggest innovations for the development of national seed industry.
Dean Faculty of Agriculture, UAF, Professor Dr Muhammad Arshad said inferior quality seed cannot bear the required fruits. He called for taking steps to ensure the quality seed in the field so that agricultural productivity can be boosted up manifold. He said for sustainable agricultural growth and food security, production of quality seed always remained top priority. Supply of quality and certified seed of various crops in country is lower than total requirement.
Khaqan Babar, MD Punjab Seed Corporation said Punjab Seed Corporation is committed to supply sufficient quantity of high quality seeds of major and minor crops, at an affordable price to the farmers' community, as well as to make efforts for the promotion of overall seed industry, in order to enhance national per acre agricultural yield.
Chairman Department of Crop Physiology Dr Shahzad Basra said with rapid growth of private seed sector, total number of private seed companies has reached 766 and out of which five are multinational. Lack of trained manpower in seed industry and business is also a hurdle to attain the desired goal of increased productivity. He said UAF is making all-out efforts to provide the trained manpower in this regard.
Dr Irfan Afzal from UAF said with mushroom growth of seed companies, there is desired need of disciplined seed business in the country. The purpose of PSA is to invigorate public private partnership in seed innovations and human resource development in seed technology through training. PSA is also struggling for foreign investment in seed sector. It has been also linked with International Seed Academy to start joint international seed training workshops in the country.
Chairman Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) Salman Mahmood Khan also addressed the role of national seed companies in Pakistan seed industry. He highlighted the role of SAP at national and international levels and fully endorsed the Pakistan Seed Academy. Dr Abdul Rauf Bhutta and Saeed Iqbal from FSC & RD, Dr Khalid Zafar from Plant Protection Dept and Dr Sadar Uddin Siddiqui from Plant Genetic Resources Institute, NARC also spoke on the occasion.