FSC&RD - Establishment of National Variety Data Bank

The project “Establishment of National Variety Data Bank” was started by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department from 1st July 2003 with a total cost of Rs.6749,000/- for proper documentation of DUS data and preparation of specific inventories of all varieties of commercial crops and fruits for distribution to the quality control administration, seed producers and growers for maintenance of quality and purity of seed at various stages of multiplication, and to the plant breeders to help strengthened their breeding programs.

Proper documentation of DUS data and preparation of specific inventories for all new varieties of commercial crops and fruits.
Making arrangements for printing documented data in a proper format.
Distribution of required information about commercial germplasm to plant breeders to help strengthen their breeding programmers.
To keep close liaison with the public and private sector breeders and international research centers for exchanging of information about elite germplasm, and seed propagating materials.
To coordinate with the Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Pakistan and help establish seed library.
To create an internet site at headquarters for electronic dissemination of technical data.
Establish linkage for exchange of information between field offices and Headquarters for timely conducting DUS trials.

The project has been established at headquarter of the Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, Islamabad and linked with the following 5 Seed Testing Laboratories/ Field Offices.

Regional Office and Seed Testing laboratory, Lahore.
Regional Office, and Seed Testing laboratory, Peshawar.
Regional Office, and Seed Testing laboratory, Hyderabad.
Field Office, and Seed Testing laboratory, Khanewal.
Field Office, and Seed Testing laboratory, Quetta.

Essential infrastructure regarding installation of computers, internet and local area connections has been set up. The documentation of genetic, morphological and agronomic data of the crop varieties has been started and their inventories will be prepared. The parentage and pedigree, insect/pest and disease reaction of these varieties will also be documented. This information will be made available on internet for easy access to the concerned organizations.

The activities of the project are important for the improvement in testing of genuineness of seed crops and seed lots for providing genetic information of commercial germplasm to plant breeders and varietal information to private sector seed producers, preparing variety passport in case of import or export of seed and exchange of information about crop varieties and seed propagating material at national and international level.