Source: SEED INFO 38 Pages 13-14

Pakistan’s national seed sector has made steady progress after the national seed policy was declared in 1994. According to data released by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, about 259,439 t of seed of various crops was produced in the 2007/08 crop season. This includes about 177,792 t of wheat, 31,691 t of cotton, and other crops. Private sector seed supply is growing rapidly, and is even overtaking the public sector. Meanwhile substantial amounts of seed of hybrids and fodder crops were imported
into the country in the same year: 29,551 t worth Pak Rupees 3,723.29 million. This clearly shows the great potential for domestic seed production (Tables 1 and 2).

Seed availability during two seasons, 1997/98 and 2007/08, is presented in Table 3. The figures show substantial increase in seed provision with an average of 16% although for rice, maize, pulses, sunflower and vegetables there is a substantial increase. Seed imports for the same years are shown in Table 4.

There is a substantial increase in seed supply of cereals (especially hybrid maize) as well as other crops and vegetables, with an overall increase of 200%.

Source: The Seed News, Volume 10 No 3, April-June 2009

Website: http://www.icarda.org

Published: February 8, 2010