ISLAMABAD (APP): Pakistan has intensified efforts to strengthen enforcement of its seed regulatory regime by expanding the network of authorised seed inspectors across provinces, aiming to curb the sale of fake and substandard seed and better protect farmers’ interests.
Stronger enforcement to protect farmers from fake seed
According to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan, the initiative is being spearheaded by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD) under the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), the body responsible for enforcing the Seed Act, 1976, and its subsequent amendments.
FSC&RD leads regulatory drive under Seed Act
According to the document, effective regulation of Pakistan’s seed sector requires the mandatory registration of all stakeholders, including seed importers, producers, exporters, and dealers, to ensure quality assurance across the entire value chain and safeguard farmers from losses linked to poor-quality inputs.
Mandatory registration across the seed value chain
Enforcement of the Seed Act remains a core mandate of FSC&RD, particularly to prevent the marketing and distribution of counterfeit, substandard, or unapproved seed of any crop or plant.
Staffing gaps prompt expansion of seed inspection network
However, the document notes that current staffing levels at FSC&RD are insufficient to monitor the expanding scale of seed business operations nationwide.
Punjab model strengthens field-level monitoring
To overcome this issue, NSDRA has delegated seed inspector powers under Section 19 of the Seed Act to provincial agriculture officials and 134 officers of the Punjab Agriculture Department have been notified as seed inspectors, leveraging the province’s extensive field presence and large agricultural footprint.
Sindh nominates officers to enhance seed enforcement
Building on this model, NSDRA has also issued letters to other provincial agriculture departments, seeking nominations of officers to be authorised as seed inspectors in their respective jurisdictions. In response, the Government of Sindh has recommended 93 officers for notification as seed inspectors in the province.
Toward a harmonised national seed enforcement framework
The document states that the broader objective is to improve regulatory enforcement at the grassroots level, expand field coverage and monitoring frequency, ensure compliance with seed quality and certification standards, strengthen protection for farmers against fraudulent and substandard seed, and establish a harmonised national enforcement framework.
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