‘Hybrid seeds can mitigate climate threat’
A farmer holds hybrid red chili pepper seeds on his palm as he plants saplings, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 18, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chilli farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS
Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik has emphasised that the use of hi-tech hybrid seeds plays a vital role in mitigating the challenges posed by the unpredictable weather patterns and changing climatic conditions.
Talking to a delegation of progressive farmers, led by Dr Muhammad Arshad Javed, on Thursday, he said in recent years, the agriculture industry had undergone a transformative shift with the adoption of hi-tech hybrid seeds.
“The impact of these seeds on the economy cannot be overstated. They have increased productivity, which directly contributes to food security and stability in prices, ensuring a steady supply of agricultural produce,” he noted.
The utilisation of such seeds leads to the development of a diverse range of high-value crops that not only broaden the agricultural produce portfolio but also offer farmers the opportunity to tap lucrative markets for specialised produce, ultimately boosting their income and contributing to rural economic growth, he remarked.
By promoting higher productivity, improved resilience and diversified crops, these seeds contribute to food security, economic growth and employment opportunities.
He underlined the need for continuing to invest in research, education and infrastructure to maximise benefits of hi-tech hybrid seeds for the agriculture sector and the overall economy.
As farmers were going to adopt those advanced seeds, there was a growing demand for skilled labour, ranging from crop management and pest control to agricultural technology experts, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2023.
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