ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has urged private seed companies to reduce wheat seed prices and called for smoother interprovincial transportation to ensure farmers receive quality seeds on time for the upcoming sowing season.
The minister made these remarks while chairing a high-level meeting with representatives of private seed companies and the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), according to a press release issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
The meeting focused on wheat seed affordability, supply arrangements between provinces and measures to facilitate farmers ahead of the sowing season.
Rana Tanveer Hussain asked private seed companies to lower prices to make wheat seed more accessible, particularly for small-scale farmers facing rising costs of agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, irrigation and other farming essentials.
He stressed that timely availability of seed at reasonable prices was important for farmers to prepare for the sowing season and make informed decisions about their crops.
The minister also directed the NSDRA to facilitate the smooth movement of wheat seed between provinces. He emphasised the need for effective coordination among provincial authorities and seed suppliers to resolve transportation-related difficulties and prevent disruptions in distribution.
The meeting highlighted the importance of providing farmers with clear information about seed varieties, certification, packet weights and prices. Such transparency can help growers make informed purchasing decisions and select suitable seed for their agricultural needs.
Participants also discussed measures to reduce seed costs and maintain an uninterrupted supply across provincial boundaries, with the objective of supporting timely wheat sowing and strengthening Pakistan’s food security.
Affordable, quality seed delivered at the appropriate time is an important factor in crop establishment and agricultural productivity. The proposed measures aim to ease access to this essential input as farmers prepare for the next wheat-growing season.
