FSC&RD - Establishment of Seed Testing Laboratories and Rehabilitation of Existing Laboratories

Establishment of Seed Testing Laboratories and Rehabilitation of Existing Laboratories

A development project "Establishment of Seed Testing Laboratories and Rehabilitation of Existing Laboratories" was prepared in line with the decision of the Cabinet in its meeting on 24th March, 2004 (Case No. 75/07/2004), directed the MINFAL to streamline the research, seed production and certification system for wheat, rice and cotton. It was also directed that committee of national experts be constituted by Prof. Dr. Atta-ure-Rehman, Advisor to PM for Science and Technology to formulate recommendations and improving the quality of seed. One of the recommendations of the committee so constituted concerns with the preparation of Project PC-I to strengthen the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.

The project aims to extend seed certification cover according to the demand of the seed sector to boost certified seed production.

The additional facilities would enable the department to monitor the quality of seed effectively by establishing a strong seed regulatory mechanism.
Human resources development and capacity building of seed professionals of both public and private sectors to meet the new dimension of seed industry in the new scenario of WTO.
Adaptive research on day-to-day problems and their solution to facilitate the seed industry.
Safeguard the national agriculture against exotic seed-borne diseases through effective monitoring of seed quality at the port of entry for seed consignments.
Increase the yield through availability of quality seed of various crops in project area without putting additional expenditure by the farmers.
Income generation of the project: The department provides seed certification cover through crop inspection of about 4 lac acres and tests about 250000 m.t seed annually. The department envisages levying a fee on crop inspection and seed testing under section 13 (2) of the Seed Act, 1976 subject to approval of National Seed Council and ECC. It will generate revenue of about Rs. 4.2 million annually and will increase as use of the quality seed increases.
Provide export oriented base to seed industry.

In order to achieve these objectives, the following specific targets are set

To curb the sale of sub standard seed in the market, effective seed act enforcement will be carried out through notified 45 additional Seed Inspectors in the country.
To determine the geneticpurity of the standing crop 150000 acres will be inspected annually.
To determine the analytical purity of the seed lot of various crops, 125000 mt. seed will be tested annually in the newly established seed testing laboratories.
Hundred percent imported seed (10000 to 15000 mt) of various crops will be tested annually for the purpose to know its planting value and seed health status against various seed-borne diseases.
Seed health testing of pre-basic and basic seed lot 100 percent and certified lot 5-10 percent for the purpose of sowing disease free quality seed and their acceptance in the national and international market.
About 30 percent certified seed requirement (at the replacement rate) of wheat, rice, maize and vegetables, 100 percent in cotton will be carried out. Similarly, in pulses and fodder and forages, 20 percent certified seed requirement would be met in the project area.
Development of data bank and documentation for helping the seed industry and other concerned agencies. A web site of seed industry will be developed in this regard.