A uniform regulatory regime for crop varieties is the need of the hour to encourage and improve the quality of seed system in Pakistan, Bilal Iqbal, Senior Scientific Officer at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), told WealthPK. “A sustained increase in crop production and productivity requires timely supply of essential inputs, especially quality seeds. The quality and quantity of seeds play an integral role in enhancing agricultural output and improved cultivars are a highly effective means of increasing agricultural productivity,” he said. “The glaring issue of poor seed quality is crippling the Pakistani agriculture. Subpar seeds lead to subpar crops, which translates to diminished yields and incomes for farmers. In a country where a significant portion of the population is dependent on agriculture, this vicious cycle of low productivity is a grave concern,” he said.

Equally troubling is the unregulated sale of unapproved seed varieties. A unified regulatory framework would provide clear guidelines and standards for seed quality, ensuring that only high-quality seeds reach the market. This would not only benefit the farmers but also encourage the seed companies to invest in research and development for producing better seed varieties. Additionally, there is a need to simplify the approval process for crop varieties, as it would reduce delays. It would allow for faster adaptation of new, improved varieties and technologies, enabling farmers to respond more effectively to the changing environmental and market conditions.

“A streamlined regulatory framework can help Pakistan meet international seed quality standards, facilitating the export of seeds and agricultural products to the global markets. This can boost the country's export potential and enhance its international standing in the agriculture sector,” he said. In this regard, caretaker Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik chaired a meeting on the seed system of Pakistan and reviewed its challenges and future prospects. He said there is a need for uniform regulatory regime across all crop varieties to encourage and improve the seed system in Pakistan. It has been observed that poor seed quality and widespread sale of unapproved varieties are resulting in low yields.

Currently, there is a large gap of 66% between supply and demand of certified seeds in the country. Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik called for developing a national seed policy, strategy, and a plan for implementation to get long-term positive results. “Public-private dialogue is necessary to optimize the seed supply system. By increasing public sector investment and encouraging private sector involvement in R&D, we can achieve better outcomes for the industry,” said the NARC scientific officer.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)