Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) has urged the Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar to engage it in meaningful dialogues to clear his (Governor's) misapprehensions regarding seed industry in Pakistan which is not only playing the role of a bridge between government and the private sector but also a liaison between the private sector and farmers.
Commenting on some remarks of the Governor Punjab, SAP Chairman Sarfraz Ahmad Khalid said here on Wednesday that it was necessary to facilitate the growth of such an association which was playing a vital role in development of the agriculture industry instead of nipping in the bud on basis of unfounded information.
In a statement, Sarfraz Ahmad Khalid said it seemed that the Governor had been completely misled by those who wished to destroy the local seed industry and tarnish its reputation in the world. A similar conniving attempt was rebuffed by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, he claimed.
"Governor Punjab's accusation that Seed companies are selling fake seeds in Pakistan is a direct assault on our seed industry. Seed Association of Pakistan, established since 2010 as a representative of the seed industry, has approximately 200 registered member companies from all provinces, who are on the business of researching and producing certified quality seeds for agricultural purposes. This is registered with Ministry of Commerce and also represents Pakistan internationally as member of the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) and ECO Seed Association (ECOSA). Additionally Seed Association of Pakistan only registers members who are active taxpayers and have certification from Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD)," Sarfraz Ahmad Khalid said.
He said Seed Association had actively contributed to the growth of agriculture sector which was backbone of the economy, by producing and importing certified quality seeds for farmers. The contribution of private seed industry exceeds 60 percent of the total certified seed produced in the country. He claimed that recent upward trend in crops annual yield was a result of the research SAP members despite all the bureaucratic red tape and non-co-operation of the federal departments/institutions. Still applications of numerous seed companies were lying pending with the FSC&RD for processing, the statement concluded.
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