Quality seeds’ availability a must to enhance agri productivity: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday said that the availability of quality seeds is necessary for ensuring food security and enhancing agricultural productivity in Pakistan.

The minister, while presiding over the first meeting of the board of governors of the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), said that advanced and export-quality seeds are essential for achieving self-sufficiency and boosting exports, said a senior official.

He said that the meeting discussed the authority's administrative structure, vision, and strategic goals. Provinces suggested increased representation in NSDRA and the minister approved the proposal, he said, adding that the meeting focused on establishing the authority’s full functionality to enhance Pakistan's seed sector.

The official said that the main objective of NSDRA to create a competitive seed sector that promotes innovation, increases investment, and ensures the availability of technologically advanced seeds. Its strategic goals include enhancing seed quality, reducing imports, increasing exports, and improving farmers’ incomes, he said.

He said that NSDRA will focus on key areas such as germplasm development, adoption of modern technology, strengthening the seed supply chain, and implementing an effective regulatory framework. The National Seed Policy has also been finalised, he said.

The official said that operationalisation of NSDRA follows the enactment of the Seed Amendment Act, 2024, which underscored the importance of addressing challenges in the seed sector. The NSDRA is mandated to recommend and formulate policies, regulate and monitor the seed industry, and advise the federal government on improving seed standards.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025