Vice Chancellor (VC) University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali has congratulated Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), and the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) on the approval of the National Seed Policy, describing it as a landmark achievement that would transform Pakistan’s seed sector, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute significantly to national food and nutritional security.
UAF terms national seed policy milestone for Pakistan’s agriculture
FAISALABAD, Jun 07 (APP): Vice Chancellor (VC) University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali has congratulated Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), and the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) on the approval of the National Seed Policy, describing it as a landmark achievement that would transform Pakistan’s seed sector, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute significantly to national food and nutritional security.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Dr. Qamar Shakeel, Member Research & Development and Policy, NSDRA. The meeting focused on the significance of the newly approved policy and its role in modernizing Pakistan’s seed system through innovation, research, quality assurance, and regulatory reforms.
Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali particularly commended Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain for his vision, leadership, and commitment in steering the policy through the approval process.
He also appreciated the contributions of NSDRA and the Green Pakistan Initiative for their instrumental role in the formulation, review, refinement, and successful approval of the policy.
UAF Vice Chancellor extended his congratulations to all stakeholders involved in the drafting, technical review, presentation, editing, consultation, and approval of the National Seed Policy.
He acknowledged the valuable contributions of researchers, policymakers, seed industry representatives, regulatory experts, universities, and public and private sector organizations whose collective efforts culminated in the development of a comprehensive policy framework for Pakistan’s seed sector.
Speaking on the significance of the policy, Dr. Qamar Shakeel said that the National Seed Policy provides a strategic roadmap for transforming Pakistan’s seed system through innovation, quality assurance, research and development, institutional strengthening, and enhanced private sector participation.
He noted that the policy addresses major challenges confronting the seed sector, including low seed replacement rates, dependence on imported hybrid seeds, limited seed exports, and the need for stronger regulatory and quality control mechanisms.
The newly approved policy envisions a vibrant, competitive, and sustainable seed system that ensures the availability of high-quality seeds to farmers while promoting agricultural growth and food security.
Its key objectives include increasing quality seed production, promoting hybrid and high-tech seed development, encouraging domestic and foreign investment, safeguarding plant breeders’ rights, supporting climate-smart agriculture, strengthening biotechnology research, and enhancing seed exports.
The policy further emphasizes the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources, strengthening seed certification and testing systems, developing modern seed infrastructure, building human resource capacity, and digitalizing seed regulation and monitoring systems.
It also seeks to create conducive environment for public-private partnerships and greater private sector involvement in variety development and seed production, he added.
Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali observed that the approval of the National Seed Policy would open new avenues for research collaboration, technology transfer, and commercialization of improved crop varieties.
He said that the policy would help ensure the timely availability of quality seed to farmers, improve crop productivity, increase farm incomes, and enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional and international seed markets.
Both officials agreed that the effective implementation of the National Seed Policy would play a pivotal role in modernizing the seed sector, promoting innovation, reducing reliance on imported seed technologies, and supporting the broader objectives of sustainable agricultural development and the Green Pakistan Initiative.
UAF spokesman said that the approval of the National Seed Policy has been widely welcomed by stakeholders across the agricultural sector, who viewed it as a major step toward building a resilient, technology-driven, and globally competitive seed industry in Pakistan.
The policy is expected to strengthen the country’s agricultural foundation, improve food security, encourage investment in seed research and development, and create new opportunities for farmers, researchers, and the seed industry alike, he added.
