UAF holds Seed Dialogue: Experts call for joint efforts to produce quality seed

FAISALABAD: Experts on Monday at Seed Dialogue 2026 held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad called for collaborated efforts on the part of researchers, academia, public and private sectors to produce and ensure the quality seed to the farming community that will open up new era of green revolutions. The dialogue was arranged.

The dialogues title national seed policy and future outlook of the seed sector was arranged by National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSR&TC) UAF and National Seed Development ands Regulatory Authority NSDRA.

Talking to the participants, Major General Shahid Nazir, Director General, Strategic Projects and Green Corporate Initiative said that first National Seed Policy of Pakistan approved by the federal government is providing a framework for seed research, quality assurance, private-sector participation, biotechnology, plant breeders’ rights, climate-resilient varieties, and seed exports. The consultation process among all stakeholders for the improvement of the policy and seed sector will help ensure food security. He said that knowledge was the backbone for the progress of any country. He lauded the industry for investing billions of rupees to convert the barren land into the cultivated land under the Green Corporate Initiative.

National Seed and Development Authority Chairman Dr Asif Ali said that they were transforming Seeds for a Greener Future and meant to empower Pakistan’s agricultural sector by ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds and fostering innovation. Together, we can achieve self-sufficiency, improve crop productivity, and support the livelihoods of our farmers. He said that national seed policy and biotech policy are the hallmark steps. Highlighting targeted interventions to modernize the seed value chain, Dr Asif stated that the NSDRA is streamlining germplasm imports by creating a dedicated “Research Germplasm Fast Lane,” catalyze private R&D, categorize seed firms to host the first Investor Forum in 2026.

He said that under the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy (NABP) roadmap for 2026–2031, the chairman of the Seed Authority has outlined a phased strategic vision to modernize agriculture, enforce biosafety stewardship, and strengthen national food security.

University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said Highlighting Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, emphasized that National Seed Policy will overcome major bottleneck. The policy focuses on improving seed, expanding certified seed availability, reducing heavy reliance on imported hybrids, and boosting local seed exports. To directly address these systemic challenges, Dr. Zulfiqar urged the immediate establishment of a National Seed Academy. Serving as a specialized training hub, the academy would focus on developing certified manpower. The initiative will bridge the gap between policy objectives and field execution, helping Pakistan build a self-reliant, high-yielding, and globally competitive seed industry.

Eminent agricultural scientist and former Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Prof Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, has emphasised that strict enforcement of legal protocols, regulatory discipline, and human resource development are essential for achieving the goals. Speaking on the systemic challenges facing the country’s agricultural sector, Dr Malik noted that building a reliable national seed ecosystem requires complete alignment with biosafety standards, Plant Breeders’ Rights, and stringent quality assurance to safeguard domestic production and minimize external dependencies.

DG PARB Dr Abid Memdood, Engineer Jawad Salim Qureshi Member NSDRA Dr Qamar Sakeel, Chairman Plant Breeding and Generic UAF Dr Muhammad Azeem Iqbal, organizer of the dialogue and Director Seed Center UAF Dr Tehseen Azhar and representative from industry also spoke on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026