The government has decided to expand the list of wheat herbicides from eight to 29 under generic scheme by importing it in formulated forms or active ingredients for formulation by the registered firms. These firms should have the formulation plants and facilities of the labs as required under the rules.
According to official source, this decision has been taken to increase wheat production as a part of 'Grow more wheat' campaign for 2004-05 crop. Prior to this decision only eight herbicides were on the generic list, but now the list has been enhanced by adding 21 more products.
The enhanced use of herbicides in wheat can result in increase of per acre yield up to 25 percent. Currently coverage of area through weed eradication by using herbicides is about 15 percent.
The introduction of these products on generic list will diversify the sources of supply enabling farmers to get new products at significantly reduced prices, which are within reach of the small farmers.
It will also help double the coverage of area under herbicide during the next crop.
By bringing the product on generic, where patent has expired, makes the product available in sufficient quantity and at a cheaper price.
Further condition imposed for such import or formulation is to maintain the quality so that the recipe of the products is consistent with requirements of Form-ie before generic or as per patent.
All pesticides, herbicides, weedicides and the active ingredients of the herbicides shall be imported and formulated subject to the condition that the recipe would be the same as approved during registration of those herbicides or weedecides under the Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance and Pules made there under.