Quality seed with academic-industry linkages.

FAISALABAD Sep 19: Experts at seed stakeholder meeting at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) called for scaling up availability of quality seed with academic-industry linkages as gap between certified seed demand and supply has exceeded 50 percent, lowering yields and aggravating food security concerns. Chairing the meeting at Syndicate Room, UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that certified seeds increase crop yields, disease resistance and agricultural production. It delivers higher-quality crops, improving food security and farmer incomes. Despite their value, many farmers are unable to apply certified seeds. He said that the university has taken initiative to maximize the production of seed and market it under academic-industry linkages. He said that the UAF had introduced new varieties of heat-tolerant wheat, durum-wheat, soybeans, brassica, okra, maize, industrial hemp, chickpea, quinoa, sorghum, mango, citrus, cotton and others. Scientific Director Dr Muhammad Tehseen Azhar said that under Seed Lab, the university has mapped out a plan of the propagation of quality seed for better yield results. He added that under the meeting, stakeholders from industry are called to discuss the business model. Director Research Prof Dr Imran Arshad said that the seed is a base of the production and if we compromise on seed quality, we will definitely comprise on food security. Director Business Incubation Center Dr Iftikhar Ahmad said that the university was developing the business model with industry so that quality seed can be marketed and reach the farmers’ fields that will increase the production and address challenges. Dr Khurram Zia briefed about the different business model with the industry on the seeds. Chairman Plant Breeding and Genetics Dr Azeem Iqbal Khan, Dr Abdullah and other notables also spoke on the occasion.