Minister asks private seed companies to reduce wheat seed prices

Add ARY News on GoogleFollow on Google DiscoverReuters/FileAAResizeFederal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has asked private seed companies to reduce wheat seed prices to make seed more affordable for farmers.

Rana Tanveer Hussain made this demand while chairing a high-level meeting with representatives of private seed companies and the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA) to discuss wheat seed prices and inter-provincial movement.

He was of the view that timely access to affordable seed is particularly important for small farmers, whose purchasing decisions are affected by the combined costs of seed, fertiliser, irrigation and other agricultural inputs.

Hussain directed NSDRA to ensure the smooth inter-provincial movement of wheat seed.

Coordination with provincial authorities and seed suppliers will be important in addressing movement-related difficulties and ensuring that seed reaches farmers within the appropriate sowing period.

Clear information on seed varieties, certification, pack weight and prices can further help farmers make informed purchasing decisions. Affordable prices must be accompanied by reliable quality and timely availability to support successful crop establishment.

The meeting focused on facilitating farmers through lower seed costs and uninterrupted supply across provinces, supporting timely wheat sowing and national food security.

The National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA) is a federal regulatory body in Pakistan established under the Seed (Amendment) Act, 2024 to modernize the country’s agricultural seed sector, improve crop productivity, and ensure food security.

It formulates and enforces national seed quality standards aligned with international frameworks and conducts strict compliance checks, including actions against non-compliant or substandard seed companies.

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