Workshop on “Capacity Building in Seed Technology”

Lack of availability of quality and certified seed is the major constraints to increase agricultural productivity. The public and private sector joint efforts can bring the country out of crisis of certified seed shortage. It was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof 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 that 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 cooperatives. He said that the use of certified seeds in various crops stands at only 20 per cent. The rest of farming community is depending upon non certified seed. He said that during 2011-12, seed requirement of various crops in Pakistan was 1.5 million tons. The farmers ran short of 1.14 million metric tonnes of quality seed. He said that lack of quality seed, machinery and horse power in Pakistan was hampering the process of increment in agricultural production. He said that the University had set up a Seed Centre for conducting the valuable researches that will help in increasing the per acre production. He said that the UAF is in the process of launching of seed sciences degree programme. Dr Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Director General Federal Seed Certification & Registration said newly established Pakistan Seed Academy will strengthen the public-private partnership in seed innovations. He said that 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, Prof Dr Muhammad Arshad said that inferior quality seed cannot bear the required fruits. He called for the taking steps to ensure the quality seed in the field so that agricultural productivity can be boosted up manifold. He said that for sustainable agricultural growth and food security, production of quality seed always remained at top priority. Supply of quality and certified seed of various crops in country is very low than total requirement. Mr Khaqan Babar, MD Punjab Seed Corporation said that 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 by 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 that UAF was making all out effort to provide the trained manpower in this regard Dr Irfan Afzal from UAF said that 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. Dr Shakeel Ahmad Khan, Director General Federal Seed Certification & Registration was nominated as president of this forum. Pakistan Seed Academy (PSA) is an initiative of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, joined by Punjab Seed Corporation, Seed Association of Pakistan, Crop Life Pakistan and Farmers Association of Pakistan.