MoU inked to ensure quality seed supply

PESHAWAR: The provincial government and private seed companies have joined hands to ensure the supply of quality seed for cereal crop and prevent adulteration and illegal trading of seed in the market.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and private seed company Akora Seed Company on Monday. Chief Executive Officer of Akora Seed Company Muhammad Siddiq and Secretary of Agriculture Javed Marwat on behalf of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government signed the memorandum of understanding.

Provincial Minister Muhammad Sajjad participated in the ceremony as a chief guest. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Special Assistant for Industries Abdul Karim Khan and officials of the Agriculture Department were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Muhammad Sajjad assured the seed producers that the government would provide all the facilities to the seed companies in the supply of quality seeds.

He said that private seed companies had a very important role in providing quality seed. Quality seed supply is not possible without the positive role of seed companies. Private seed companies should play a role with the government to supply quality seed and prevent adulteration and illegal trading of seed in the market.

Representatives of the private seed companies assured the minister that they would play a role alongside the government against illegal business and adulteration of seeds. About the memorandum of understanding, the minister said It would provide opportunities for companies to work together with government agricultural institutions and private seed companies will benefit from innovative research.

Similarly, the government and private seed companies will jointly provide farmers with modern and high-productivity sources of commodity varieties through faster methods, which will significantly increase agricultural production and farmers’ income.

Expressing the hope that such initiatives under the auspices of the provincial government will play a role in the development of agriculture, the seed representatives apprised the minister of their problems. Federal Institute for Seed Registration and Verification Provincial Director Inayatullah Khan was also present on the occasion.