Imported seed and scientific considerations

A proposal is under consideration to reduce the approval period for imported cotton seed from the current seven years to just 12 to 18 months as part of efforts to revive Pakistan’s cotton sector. The proposal was presented by Guard Agriculture at an important meeting held recently at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

It envisages replacing the biosecurity phase with laboratory testing, conducting biosafety and yield trials simultaneously and shortening the overall approval process. Supporters of the proposal argue that under the existing lengthy procedure, new varieties may not become available before 2033, whereas a fast-track mechanism could bring high-yielding varieties to farmers by 2028.

While the apparent objective is to reduce delays in the availability of new varieties, the critical question is whether scientific evaluation, environmental protection and adaptation to local agricultural conditions can be adequately ensured under the proposed shortened procedure.

Under the existing legal framework, the direct commercial import of cotton seed is prohibited. Even for experimental or research purposes, only a limited quantity of one kilogram of seed can be imported through the Post-Entry Quarantine system, where it remains under observation for one growing season or up to one year.

Subsequently, genetic and biosafety risks are examined under contained conditions under the supervision of the National Biosafety Committee. Only after obtaining biosafety clearance does the process of national trials and variety registration begin under the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department. These procedures are intended to ensure biological and environmental safety.

In contrast, the proposed fast-track approval mechanism seeks to reduce the existing seven-year process to 12 to 18 months. It envisages completing the biosecurity phase within 15 days through laboratory testing, replacing the existing procedure, conducting biosafety and national yield trials simultaneously and reducing the time required for final approval.

However, any proposal to accelerate approval must ensure full compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. Under the Plant Quarantine Rules and biosafety legislation, seed may be imported in limited quantities for experimental purposes. Commercial import and cultivation, however, require a comprehensive Pest Risk Analysis, biosafety trials and completion of the national approval process. Attempts to introduce imported varieties for commercial cultivation without fulfilling these legal requirements could constitute a violation of the rules and increase environmental and biosecurity risks.

The government has clarified that all proposed measures will remain within the existing legal framework, while maintaining the required standards of scientific testing, biosecurity and biosafety. In other words, the fast-track proposal is intended to streamline and accelerate the process within the existing regulatory framework rather than bypassing its requirements.

Nevertheless, accelerating the process also raises important scientific and environmental concerns. The foremost concern is that shortening the timeline could compromise comprehensive field quarantine and the assessment of long-term environmental impacts, potentially increasing the risk of introducing seed-borne diseases or new insect pests.

Laboratory tests are effective in identifying specific diseases and risks, but they cannot be regarded as a complete substitute for field evaluations under diverse environmental conditions. Similarly, trials conducted over a limited period may not provide a comprehensive assessment of a new variety’s long-term yield potential, environmental adaptability and durable resistance to diseases.

The case of hybrid variety GM-2085, approved in 2010, is also worth recalling. Despite demonstrating promising results in national trials, it failed to achieve commercial success due to import restrictions and other constraints. This experience serves as a reminder that approval alone is not sufficient. Effective implementation and continuous monitoring are equally important.

Pakistan’s cotton-growing regions differ considerably in their agricultural and climatic conditions. In the cotton-growing areas of southern Punjab and Sindh, temperatures frequently reach 42 to 48 degrees Celsius, while night temperatures also remain above 30 degrees.

Such conditions can adversely affect pollen viability and increase flower shedding. Saline soils in Sindh, variations in water quality and regional pest and disease pressures can also significantly influence the performance of imported varieties. It is therefore essential to assess how varieties introduced from China, Ethiopia and other countries perform under local conditions through multi-location trials within Pakistan.

The success of a foreign variety in another country does not guarantee similar performance in Pakistan. In particular, heat tolerance and resistance to Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV), whitefly and pink bollworm must be evaluated across different agricultural regions and under varying climatic conditions.

According to the latest available data from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), Pakistan’s average national lint yield stands at approximately 734 kilograms per hectare, nearly one-third of China’s average. This substantial gap highlights the need for improved genetic material and more productive varieties.

However, achieving the desired productivity gains from imported varieties depends fundamentally on their adaptability to local agricultural conditions. Regional differences in productivity must also be taken into account.

Sindh’s per-acre cotton yield is higher than that of Punjab and compares favourably in certain international assessments. The more serious productivity challenge lies in Punjab, where pest infestations, diseases and climatic stresses are more severe. Therefore, even fast-tracked varieties must undergo region-specific testing to ensure that a single variety is not indiscriminately recommended across the entire country.

Another important consideration is the continuity of local breeding programmes and the preservation of national research capacity. Access to imported germplasm can be valuable for strengthening domestic research. However, equal attention must continue to be given to local breeding programmes, gene banks and the development of new varieties adapted to Pakistan’s agricultural environment.

Excessive dependence on imported varieties could slow the development of domestic research institutions and weaken the country’s gene-bank resources. Without maintaining this balance, Pakistan’s long-term research capacity and seed self-reliance could be compromised. A more effective strategy would be to use imported germplasm to support and strengthen local breeding programmes, thereby preserving the country’s capacity to develop and produce its own seed in the long run.

Continuous monitoring of imported varieties after approval is equally essential. Their yield performance, disease resistance and environmental adaptability should be systematically documented across different agricultural regions. This would allow their actual performance to be assessed on the basis of results from multiple growing seasons and enable the timely identification of potential problems.

Even under a fast-track mechanism, a minimum of two growing seasons of local multi-location trials should remain mandatory. Furthermore, a formal monitoring system should be maintained for at least three years after approval to ensure the timely detection of any adverse effects.

Access to improved genetic material is undoubtedly important for reviving Pakistan’s cotton sector. However, accelerating the approval process for imported seed alone will not resolve all the structural problems confronting the country’s cotton industry.

The proposal for fast-track approval is not inherently detrimental. Its success, however, will depend on how it is implemented. If unnecessary administrative delays are reduced within the existing legal framework while essential scientific evaluations are retained, the initiative could prove beneficial.

The real priority is to make available varieties that deliver stable yields under Pakistan’s diverse agricultural and climatic conditions and generate profitable returns for farmers.

Any effort to reduce the approval period from seven years to 12 to 18 months must give equal importance to scientific evaluation, environmental protection and the preservation of domestic research capacity. Only then can the benefits of imported seed extend beyond encouraging initial yield improvements and translate into sustainable progress in Pakistan’s cotton sector.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026