Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has urged private seed companies to lower wheat seed prices, with the aim of making seed more accessible to growers.
He made the call while chairing a high-level meeting with representatives of private seed firms and the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA). The discussion covered wheat seed pricing and the movement of seed between provinces.
Input costs weigh heavily on small farmers
Hussain said timely access to affordable seed matters most for smaller farmers, whose buying decisions are shaped by the combined expense of seed, fertiliser, irrigation and other inputs. The meeting focused on easing these costs and keeping supply uninterrupted across provinces during the wheat sowing season.
Directives to keep seed moving between provinces
Hussain directed the NSDRA to ensure wheat seed moves smoothly across provincial borders. Coordination with provincial authorities and seed suppliers was described as essential for resolving transport-related problems and getting seed to farmers within the proper sowing window.
The discussion also stressed that clear information on varieties, certification, pack weight and prices can help farmers make better purchasing choices. Lower prices, it was noted, must be paired with dependable quality and timely availability.
The NSDRA’s role in regulating seed quality
The NSDRA is a federal regulatory body set up under the Seed (Amendment) Act, 2024 to modernise the seed sector, raise crop productivity and strengthen food security. It formulates and enforces national seed quality standards in line with international frameworks, and carries out strict compliance checks, including action against non-compliant or substandard seed companies.
