Lahore, (PR) : The 59th meeting of Punjab Seed Council held in Lahore under the chairmanship of Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani
.In the meeting,the issue of revival and reconstitution of Expert Sub-Committee of Punjab Seed Council reviewed. MD Punjab Seed Council Shan-ul-Haq briefed the Provincial Minister that a sub-committee consisting of agricultural experts was established to assist the Seed Council in technical matters while the committee was de-notified in the 58th meeting of the Punjab Seed Council. He said that the terms of references of this committee include spot examination of the varieties, all results of field trials and preparation of recommendations regarding approval and disapproval of various varieties.
On this occasion, the Provincial Minister of Agriculture and Livestock issued orders to take immediate steps to make the Punjab Seed Council active and empowered. The Council should have the authority to approve its seed’s varieties and spot checking. The Provincial Minister directed to on board the representatives of seed companies, associations ,Punjab Agriculture Commission, high officials of the Ministry of Food and Security and Variety Evaluation Cell of the Federal Government and observers of rice,wheat and cotton to prepare proposals related to seed approval. He endorsed that the agenda of the sub-committee revival of the Punjab Seed Council should be deferred until the approval of the workable suggestions of the experts related to the seeds. Government of the Punjab is committed to supply quality and authentic seed,Minister maintained. Government’s focus is to rid farmers from spurious and adulterated seed and increase per acre yield of crops.
On this occasion, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that there is need to improve the system of approval of new varieties of seeds in Punjab. He said that the private sector has a key role in the seed business. Any policy formulation by neglecting the private sector is not in the interest of the agricultural sector. Deputy MD Punjab Seed Council Shamshad Waraich, Consultant Agriculture Department Punjab Dr. Anjum Ali, Director General Agricultural Information Punjab Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Director General Agriculture Extension Chaudhry Abdul Hameed , members and observers of Punjab Seed Council participated in the meeting.