logo
Kharif season: All set to meet cotton seed demand

Kharif season: All set to meet cotton seed demand

ISLAMABAD: The country is set to meet its cotton seed demand for the upcoming Kharif season (2025-26), with over 50,000 metric tons of certified seed already available against a total requirement of 53,796 metric tons, according to a senior official from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R).
The Federal Committee on Agriculture (FCA) has fixed the cotton production target at 10.18 million bales, to be cultivated over an area of 2.2 million hectares.
The update was shared during a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed the availability and regulation of cotton and rice seeds, with a strong focus on addressing seed market malpractices and improving seed quality.
Minister Hussain voiced serious concerns over the widespread sale of non-certified and substandard seeds, blaming several companies for facilitating the distribution of fake seeds.
In a major crackdown, the ministry has banned 392 companies found guilty of selling uncertified seeds, the official of MNFS&R told the meeting.
'We were once ahead of India in agricultural innovation, but now we are trailing behind and using India as an example in terms of seed quality and yield,' the minister lamented.
He stressed the urgent need to reverse this trend by strengthening domestic seed production and curbing the import of foreign varieties.
The minister also raised alarm over the smuggling of seeds from India, which are being openly marketed through social media platforms.
He said the ministry is working closely with law enforcement agencies to take stern action against those involved in such illegal activities.
To ensure long-term improvements in seed quality and agricultural productivity, the government has established the National Seed Development Authority (NSDA).
The NSDA will regulate seed quality, monitor compliance, and prevent the sale of counterfeit seeds. Under new regulations, seed companies will be granted licenses for five years, with extensions based on their adherence to quality standards.
Minister Hussain emphasised that the use of certified seeds is critical to boosting per-acre yields and ensuring sustainability in the agriculture sector. He also called for stabilising seed prices and promoting good farming practices to mitigate the impact of market volatility.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rs4.25bn for MNFS&R allocated
Rs4.25bn for MNFS&R allocated

Business Recorder

time21 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Rs4.25bn for MNFS&R allocated

ISLAMABAD: The government has allocated Rs 4.25 billion for the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) in the annual budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), compared to 12.56 billion in the budget 2024-25. The budget document showed a decrease of 66.1 percent in funds allocated for various attached departments of MNFS&R. The Rs 4.25 billion would be spent on the completion of 10 ongoing developmental projects and five new schemes during the current financial year. Under the PSDP 2025-26, Rs 800 million has been allocated for the national program for animal disease surveillance and control track and traceability, while Rs 585.597 million has been earmarked for the national program for enhancing command areas in Barani Areas [rain-fed areas] of Pakistan. Out of Rs 4.25 billion, Rs 500 million allocated for national oilseed enhancement program, Rs 500 million earmarked for promotion of olive cultivation on a commercial scale in Pakistan and set aside Rs 450 million national agriculture productivity enhancement program. As per the budget breakdown, Rs 300 million allocated for the establishment of the agriculture research institute Sheikhupura, Rs 257 million for Pak-Sar Zameen Card (PSZC) integrated GIS and remote sensing for sustainable, digital, advanced and financially inclusive agriculture in Pakistan and Rs 200 million for the financial incentive program for sustainable agri business and agriculture development. The government has allocated Rs 150 million for the project planning and development unit of the MNFS&R, earmarked Rs 125.860 million for reviving cotton in Pakistan: innovation for a sustainable future and set aside Rs 85 million for the Pakistan-Korea joint program on certified seed potato production system. In the budget 2025-26, Rs 100 million has been allocated for the Pakistan model agriculture research centre and Rs 50 million for professional capacity building in agriculture. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

‘Lowest in 9 years': Pakistan agriculture sector projected to grow only 0.56% in FY25
‘Lowest in 9 years': Pakistan agriculture sector projected to grow only 0.56% in FY25

Business Recorder

time2 days ago

  • Business Recorder

‘Lowest in 9 years': Pakistan agriculture sector projected to grow only 0.56% in FY25

Pakistan's agriculture sector will grow marginally by 0.56% in the financial year 2024-25, as per the provisional data unveiled in the Economic Survey for FY25, against 6.40% growth recorded in the sector in 2023-24. The growth in the FY25 would be the 'lowest in 9 years', Topline Research said in a statement. 'Agri sector is expected to post lowest growth of 0.56% in 9 years (FY16: +0.41%) vs. 5 years avg. growth of 3.38%,' it said. The lower growth was attributed to decline in important crops production and cotton ginning by 13.5% and 19.0%, respectively. While other crops posted growth of 4.78%, livestock, forestry and fishing are expected to post growths of 4.72%, 3.03% and 1.2% respectively. On the other hand, important crops and cotton are expected to post declines of 13.49% and 19.03%, respectively. 'The crop sub-sector witnessed negative growth as a result of weather-related adverse challenges,' read the Economic Survey. 'Overall, the agriculture sector in FY25 showed a combination of resilience and challenges across its sub-sectors. The growth trend emphasizes the sector's enduring importance, while also highlighting the urgent need for modernisation, climate adaptation, knowledge enhancement, and productivity improvements to sustain its contribution to economic growth and social well-being.' In the Kharif 2024 season, water availability was 60.5 million acrefeet (MAF), lower than average system usage and Kharif 2023. For Rabi 2024-25 water availability remained at 29.4 MAF. The Rabi season observed reduced rainfall, while the Kharif season saw above-average rainfall, according to the survey. Agriculture in South Asia is shaped by a shared agro-climatic context, but countries vary in crop priorities due to policy choices, market demands and natural resource endowments. The Economic Survey said the country's cotton ginning sector showed volatility and cyclical patterns in the last six years. In FY 2025, the sector witnessed a contraction of 19.03% over exceptional growth of 47.23% the previous year. 'This decline reflects underlying structural challenges, adverse weather conditions and pest outbreaks.' To address challenges in the sector, the survey mentioned that the government is pursuing a 'multi-pronged approach focused on improving irrigation efficiency, advancing seed sector reforms, scaling up digital agriculture initiatives, and strengthening R&D and extension services'. 'These measures are essential not only for short-term stability but also for fostering a resilient, self-sustaining agriculture sector capable of driving inclusive economic growth and rural transformation,' the Economic Survey said. 'Agriculture in South Asia is shaped by a shared agro-climatic context, but countries vary in crop priorities due to policy choices, market demands and natural resource endowments.' Last week, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Council (PKIC) President Khalid Mehmood said the agriculture sector witnessed a dramatic slowdown in the FY25, as he claimed that the farmers collectively suffered losses of around Rs2.2 trillion in wheat alone Khokhar stated that since May 2024, farmers have collectively suffered losses of around Rs2,200 billion in wheat alone — equivalent to 23.15% of the crop sector's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) for the fiscal year 2023–24. The resulting financial strain had weakened farmers' purchasing power and affected the productivity of other crops as well, he said. PKIC has also warned the government against imposing general sales tax (GST) on agricultural inputs in the upcoming budget, stating that such a move would deal a final blow to the already struggling agricultural sector and further damage the national economy.

Substandard packaging: PPWSMA calls on govt to curb Atta wastage
Substandard packaging: PPWSMA calls on govt to curb Atta wastage

Business Recorder

time5 days ago

  • Business Recorder

Substandard packaging: PPWSMA calls on govt to curb Atta wastage

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Polypropylene Woven Sack Manufacturers Association (PPWSMA) has appealed to the Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, to take urgent action to prevent the wastage of wheat flour (Atta) caused by the use of substandard packaging. In a letter addressed to the Minister, PPWSMA Chairman Iskandar Khan highlighted that, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, over 11 million Pakistanis face acute food insecurity. 'Wheat flour (Atta), as it is commonly known, is the staple food of our nation. For a vast majority of our people, a simple Roti with onions or chilies is often their only meal,' Khan wrote. 'To preserve this essential staple in the daily diet of the common man, it must be packed and distributed in compliant sacks and bags as per the official Gazette notification.' He emphasized that significant losses are occurring due to dusting and spillage from poor-quality, non-food grade sacks—resulting in a cumulative wastage valued at approximately Rs 594 billion. The Minister was reminded of Gazette Notification S.R.O. 46(KE)/2017, issued on May 19, 2017, which mandates the use of PSQCA-licensed, environment-friendly, recyclable, and food-grade polypropylene sacks to reduce losses during handling and transit. According to PPWSMA, failure to implement this notification has led to continuous flour wastage since 2017. Khan argued that the cost difference between non-food grade and food-grade sacks is minimal compared to the potential savings. For example, using compliant bags could save Rs 75 per 20kg sack and Rs 37.50 per 10kg sack—totaling an estimated annual savings of Rs 67.2 billion. 'We seek your assistance in ensuring the enforcement of the Gazette notification to stop this massive wastage of Atta, which directly contributes to food insecurity across the country,' Khan concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store