Agriculture minister calls for reforming Sindh Seed Corporation

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to implement fundamental reforms in Sindh Seed Corporation (SSC). This decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by Minister for Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Rafiq Ahmed Brohi, Managing Director of SSC Mushtaq Ahmed Soomro, all directors-general of the agriculture department, and other agricultural experts.

During the meeting, Mahar highlighted the urgent need for reforms within SSC. He directed the secretary agriculture and the managing director of SSC to prepare a comprehensive reform plan within 15 days, which will be presented to the Sindh cabinet.

Mahar expressed his disappointment with the current state of SSC, stating, “It is disheartening to see SSC’s poor condition. The officers must improve their performance, and if necessary, capable officers should be appointed immediately. We need to re-establish the corporation on solid ground. All departments within the agriculture wing should send competent officers and staff to SSC without delay.”

The minister further instructed that agricultural experts be appointed to SSC, and measures be taken to make the agricultural sector more resilient against calamities and climate change. He also stressed the need for strict quality control measures to ensure the standard of seeds in Sindh.

During the briefing, SSC officers reported that they had increased production by 61 percent over the past decade. They also highlighted the establishment of processing plants for wheat, cotton and other crops in Sukkur and Tando Jam.