In a release issued by media liaison unit of Punjab agriculture department, spokesman said the agriculture department was actively engaged in analyzing all factors that led to poor cotton production last year and substandard seed was one of these factors.
The department was making efforts to ensure good quality seed supply to farmers to enable them harvest a good crop and that substandard seed should not be a factor behind poor production any further.
Spokesman further stated that the department regularly consult the private seed companies as per normal routine to bring about reforms. Agriculture department also consult farmers' bodies on different issues including seeking private companies' cooperation, however, no decision has yet been made to purchase seed from any company.
He added that many private companies have offered cooperation to provide modern technology to improve seed quality, however, a decision to this effect would be made only after consulting Seed Associations and farmers' bodies, the release concluded.