Speakers stressed that seed sector should be focused as an important element of agriculture policy to improve Pakistan’s productivity of crops. The quality seed can play a major role in bridging the gaps of productivity in crops andunder favorable conditions it increases 20 to 25 percent yields per acre, they added.

They stated this while addressing at a seminar on “Strengthening Informal Seed Supply System Through Participatory Technology Transfer” at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) here on Wednesday, which was focusing on on-farm quality seed production, processing, storage and packing for maintaining its purity, quality and viability based on scientific principles and techniques.

Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR was the chief guest on the occasion. In his address, he highlighted the importance of seed as one of the major inputs for better crop production and food security. He further said that quality seed production should be increased within the country and there is a dire need to develop human resource in seed technology in Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad urged that this is the right time to introduce a unique seed certification and delivery program which can boost the production of quality seeds and distribution to farmers according to their demand. PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor informed the participants that University is going to establish Seed Center in different area of Pothwar and will provide every crop seed to farmers.

In the seminar, Dr. Abdul Rauf Bhutta, Director Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Mr. Muhammad Tariq, Agriculture Officer, Dr. Abdul Razzaq, Associate Professor, PMAS-AAUR, Mrs. Naheeda Abbasi, Regional Manager PODA, Dr. Safdar Ali, Dean Agriculture Faculty PMAS-AAUR A and DR. Abdul Rasheed gave the lectures and highlighted the importance of informal seed production of different agriculture crops, which can fulfill the increasing needs of the farming community of Pothwar along with increased yields of their crops ultimately making them prosperous.

The experts appreciated the seed production and supply system of wheat and groundnut launched by Dr.  Abdul Razzaq, Associate Professor, PMAS-AAUR and his team members. Chacha Abdul Rasheed (a farmer’s representative) appreciated this program a lot especially the establishment of seed banks both at Mulhal Mughalan and Gujjar Khan.

It may be recalled that the seminar was organized by the Department of Agronomy in collaboration with PODA(an NGO) under the financial assistance of endowment fund of UAF which was  attended by University faculty, students and the  farmers of Pothwar area.