Latest news with #NationalAssemblyStandingCommitteeonNationalFoodSecurityandResearch
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Over five-year period: NA body concerned at data of increase in sugarcane yields
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the data of an increase in sugarcane yields from an average of 600 maunds to 700 maunds per acre over a five-year period. The standing committee which met with MNA Syed Hussain Tariq in the chair, expressed concerns about the data presented during the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) schemes meeting, which claimed an increase in sugarcane yields from an average of 600 maunds to 700 maunds per acre over a five-year period under a project funded with billions of rupees by the ministry. The committee members have doubts over the reliability of this data, noting that it was sourced from sugar mills, which have a tendency to underreport production figures to evade taxes, raising doubts about the accuracy of the reported increase. The committee criticised the modest yield improvement despite heavy public sector investment, calling it an inadequate return on the nation's resources and time. During the meeting, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali delivered a comprehensive briefing on the university's research initiatives and academic scope. He noted that UAF currently enrolls 33,556 students and offers 61 undergraduate, 112 postgraduate, and 225 diploma or short-course programmes. Of its 682 faculty members, 470 hold PhDs. Dr Ali outlined the university's strategic research focus, which includes genetics, seed and breed development, agronomic innovation, agro-technologies, and value addition. He highlighted progress in developing low-input, resource-efficient crops such as new durum wheat varieties. Chairman Tariq emphasised the importance of reducing crop cycles to conserve water and minimise pesticide use—an approach that also lowers the burden on farmers and promotes environmental sustainability. The briefing also showcased notable research progress, including the development of UAF-11, a high-yield Brassica variety, and Okra-3A as part of the vegetable breeding efforts. Further advancements in soybean, maize hybrids, mangoes, citrus fruits, and genetically modified sugarcane highlighted the university's dedication to improving crop yield, quality, and resilience. Dr Ali further informed the committee of the university's collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), focusing on DAP fertiliser production, import substitution, and precision agriculture. He said these efforts incorporate artificial intelligence, climate mitigation strategies, solar energy, and digital agriculture extension services. With 135 active collaborations — 84 international and 51 national—UAF also supports outreach efforts including Chinese language training and skill development for D-8 and OIC member countries. Under PSDP and ADB-funded projects, the university is establishing advanced laboratories for seed testing and certification to align with global export standards, he said. MNAs Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan, Waseem Qadir, Nadeem Abbas, Chaudhary Iftikhar Nazir, Musarrat Asif Khawaja, Zulfiqar Ali Behan, Usama Hamza, and Muhammad Ameer Sultan and senior officials of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) attended the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
NA panel seeks action against counterfeit seed mafia
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Wednesday directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) to take strict action not only against companies selling substandard and counterfeit seeds but also against officials responsible for their registration. The directive was issued during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, chaired by MNA Syed Hussain Tariq. It reviewed a report submitted by MNA Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan, convener of a subcommittee, which detailed irregularities in the sale of fake seeds and delays in wheat procurement and import. A senior MNFS&R official informed the committee that licences of 392 out of 1,200 registered seed companies had been cancelled. To improve transparency, the ministry has introduced a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) system to monitor the distribution and sale of seeds. However, members of the committee stressed that accountability should extend to government officials involved in the registration of these companies. They also urged the ministry to ensure equitable distribution of imported seeds across all provinces and to launch public awareness campaigns. It was recommended that seed trials be conducted in controlled environments to assess yields and develop a competitive edge in agriculture. It also resolved to invite the recently established National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSD&R) to the next session to review its progress. The meeting emphasised that legal action must be taken against those selling fake seeds, stating that issuing challans is not enough, and urged the MNFSS&R to engage legal experts to ensure offenders are brought to justice. To protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen, the committee proposed announcing a minimum support price (MSP). Additional recommendations included compensation for affected farmers, stricter penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment for violators, public distribution of educational pamphlets, and advancements in seed technology—such as heat-resistant varieties and improved sowing techniques. The committee also recommended a complete ban on the import and export of wheat, in light of the country's need. MNFS&R officials briefed the committee on recent initiatives, including Punjab's launch of an Electronic Warehouse Receipts (EWRs) system, which allows farmers to store their crops for up to four months with support from private banks. The government covers 50 percent of the loan mark-up under this scheme. During the session, the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) also presented updates on wheat research. While wheat yield per acre has increased from 27 to 33 maunds over the past decade, committee members deemed the progress unsatisfactory. They pointed out that much of the gain was due to favourable weather rather than advancements in policy or research. Committee Chairman Syed Hussain Tariq highlighted that agriculture, once contributing 35 per cent to the national GDP, now accounts for only 20 percent, and expressed concern over declining productivity despite major public investments and technological advancements. The meeting also raised alarms over declining water availability, rapid population growth, and the escalating impact of climate change—all of which pose significant threats to national food security. The performance of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) was called into question, with ineffective seed research cited as a major contributing factor to the declining yields of key crops such as wheat, rice, and cotton. MNAs Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan, Waseem Qadir, Nadeem Abbas, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi, Zulfiqar Ali Behan, MNA, Usama Hamza, MNA, and Keso Mal Kheal Das and senior official of MNFS&R also attended the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
