Pakistan makes local production of imported seeds compulsory
The federal government has made it obligatory for the companies to take local production of any imported seed variety to at least 50 per cent of the total volume within five years after getting official permission.
As per the Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, the move is aimed at encouraging local production of imported varieties to gradually reduce reliance on imports of seeds.
As per the official figures, Pakistan is spending Rs50 billion annually on the import of seeds of various crops.
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Pakistan imported 70,000 metric tons of seeds for different crops including hybrid maize, rice and vegetables last year.
“It will help to achieve self-reliance and save precious foreign exchange,” said Muhammad Azam Khan, Director General of the Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department while speaking at a workshop the other day.
CropLife Pakistan arranged the workshop on “challenges in agriculture and the role of modern technologies” at Nathia Gali.
