Pakistan Seed Congress: Looking at the private sector to strengthen seed sector

Minister says National Seed Policy on the cards

FAISALABAD:

A national seed policy is being drafted and will be ready to present to the federal government after consultations with stakeholders, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said in his message at the inaugural session of the first Pakistan Seed Congress held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Wednesday.

Cotton Commissioner Khalid Abdullah from the Ministry of Textile Industry read out Bosan’s message.

The minister said that the National Seed Policy’s draft was in its final stages and would provide a base for sustainable development of the seed sector in the country.

“The Seed (Amendment) Act 2015 has been promulgated and we are looking to adopt an inclusive approach to implement the law. The Plant Breeder’s Rights Law, introduced on November 27, is another major breakthrough in this sector.”

He said legal arrangements, institutional restructuring and organisations like the Intellectual Property Organisation would enhance the role of the private sector in transforming the seed sector. “We are looking to bring about a paradigm shift in the formal seed sector which began its journey as a public sector interest in 1976.”

In his message, the minister said that the new arrangements would not only create more space for the national private seed sector but would also instil confidence among multinational corporations and overseas entrepreneurs to invest in research and development of the seed sector.

“Pakistan’s seed sector is undergoing a major transformation. We are trying to maintain its momentum and important adjustments have already been made along with a number of initiatives at various levels of implementation.”

Bosan said there was an understanding and commitment towards turning around the agriculture sub-sector by creating an enabling environment for seed-sector stakeholders and concentrating on technology and knowledge-based interventions. This effort will only be successful through joint efforts by academics, the seed industry and public seed sector institutions. The minister stressed the need to identify, develop and absorb emerging technologies and practices with an open mind.

At a time when the agriculture sector faces the challenge of climate change, it is of utmost importance to adopt innovative crop varieties and ensure systematic supply of quality seeds to farmers, he said.

The minister appreciated the UAF’s initiative to hold the Pakistan Seed Congress in collaboration with the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, the Seed Association of Pakistan and Crop Life Pakistan. The minister said the world was entering an era of innovation and emerging technologies and the seed sector must embrace it. “Every sector of the economy is becoming knowledge-based and technology-led…we, too, must upgrade our seed sector.”

He said he hoped that the Seed Congress would be a unique opportunity for various stakeholders to interact and discuss ideas for the development of seed technology. It would also provide a platform to experts, scientists and business leaders across the globe for discussion and interaction on seed industry and policy as well as seed science and technology, he said.

“The Ministry of National Food Security and Research is spearheading the process of restructuring and upgrading seed sector institutions with technical cooperation from United Nations’ the Food and Agriculture Organisation. The minister stressed the need to revive and improve the performance of public sector seed entities and said seed programmes, with the patronage of public sector, would help remote areas like Gilgit-Baltistan and the FATA get the attention they deserve. Bosan emphasised the need to develop a competitive seed sector which would not only meet domestic seed requirements but also pave the way for export of seeds.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2015.