Use of certified wheat seed could enhance the golden grain’s production by 8 to 10 maund per acre because the country used only 46% certified seeds, Federal Seed Certification Department (FSCD)’s Deputy Director Asif Rasool Kolachi has said.

Wheat farmers lack awareness and they cultivate seeds present in their stocks, which usually caused diseases or breakage of grains and led to a decrease in overall production, he said while talking to media. About the certified wheat seeds, he said they were prepared to international standards and were healthy and fresh. There was a little difference in price compared to the seeds possessed by the farmers, he added.

According to Asif, the country lacked about 54% of quality seeds and the majority of small farmers used the seeds they had on hand instead of buying certified seeds. The FSCD was keeping a check on the production units and dealers’ shops to ensure only the sale of quality seeds, he said. About 1000 companies were dealing in seeds across the country which undergo regular inspection by the FSCD. Any dealer who was found selling substandard wheat seeds would be fined heavily, he added.

Asif Rasool stated that certified seeds could help improve the living standard of farmers by empowering them economically. It could also play a role in addressing the food security issue in the country. About the cultivation area, he stated that Punjab was at the top as its contribution was 60%.

Talking about the chance of an increase in wheat cultivation area, he said that wheat was sown early in Sindh so its cultivation could be affected in the flood-hit areas. The sources at the South Punjab Agriculture Secretariat also informed that the government was planning to provide free-of-charge seeds in the flood-hit areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. The government would also provide some other facilities to help flood-area farmers grow crops without delay, they added.

Regarding wheat prices, the official sources stated that Punjab province announced Rs 3000 per 40kg wheat support price while Sindh announced Rs 4000 per 40kg support. However, a joint committee was working to review prices and bridge the gap between the prices announced by the two provinces. The wheat price was enough to attract farmers for maximum cultivation of wheat, they added.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk