Better inputs: ‘Lack of quality seeds an issue’
Agriculture university official calls for increasing production.
The public and private sector joint efforts can bring the country out of crisis of certified seed shortage.
FAISALABAD:
Among many problems faced by the agriculture sector, lack of availability of quality and certified seed is a major constraint to increasing productivity.
The public and private sector joint efforts can bring the country out of crisis of certified seed shortage. This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing workshop on ‘Capacity building in seed technology’ organised by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
He said that Pakistan is importing hybrid seed for maize, rice, potatoes and other vegetables worth billions of rupees. This money could be saved by strengthening the seed industry. “The use of certified seeds in various crops stands at only 20 per cent,” he said. The rest of the farming community is depending upon non certified seed. He said that during 2011-12, the seed requirement of various crops in in the country was 1.5 million tons. The farmers ran short of 1.14 million metric tons of quality seed.
“The lack of quality seed, machinery and horse power in Pakistan is hampering the process of increasing agricultural production,” he pointed out.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2014.
Among many problems faced by the agriculture sector, lack of availability of quality and certified seed is a major constraint to increasing productivity.
The public and private sector joint efforts can bring the country out of crisis of certified seed shortage. This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing workshop on ‘Capacity building in seed technology’ organised by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
He said that Pakistan is importing hybrid seed for maize, rice, potatoes and other vegetables worth billions of rupees. This money could be saved by strengthening the seed industry. “The use of certified seeds in various crops stands at only 20 per cent,” he said. The rest of the farming community is depending upon non certified seed. He said that during 2011-12, the seed requirement of various crops in in the country was 1.5 million tons. The farmers ran short of 1.14 million metric tons of quality seed.
“The lack of quality seed, machinery and horse power in Pakistan is hampering the process of increasing agricultural production,” he pointed out.
He said that the university had set up a Seed Centre for conducting valuable researches that will help increase per acre production. He said the UAF is in the process of launching a seed sciences degree programme.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2014.