LAHORE: The Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seeds Association (PHHSA) on Sunday hoped to become an effective national body to achieve the results clearly outlined in its mandate as a stakeholder in the Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA).
PHHSA Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik talking to mediaperson here
The real call comes from the association’s commitment to quality improvement
seed and fight against the harmful activities of the seed mafia going on
causing huge losses to farmers and agricultural production.
“PHHSA’s genuine interest as a stakeholder in NSDRA reflects this
and the importance of industry representation in regulatory bodies
seed development. Integration and participation in decision making
It aims to contribute its experience and insight to design effectiveness
policies and regulations that protect the interests of farmers,” he said.
Shahzad Ali Malik, who developed hybrid rice in Pakistan three decades ago in collaboration with China, said that one of the main objectives of PHHSA
The push for enhanced representation is to tackle the widespread problem of fake and invalid seeds being distributed by fraudulent elements in the seed mafia.
He said these unethical practices not only cheat unsuspecting farmers but also damage the integrity of agriculture, causing huge economic losses and jeopardizing food security.
Malik said strict measures should be taken to identify and punish those involved in the illegal trade of adulterated seeds through joint efforts with law enforcement and relevant agencies. Such decisive action is necessary to deter potential criminals and protect the crops of farmers who rely on superior seeds for high yields.
In addition, PHHSA advocates education campaigns and educational initiatives to educate farmers about seed quality standards and best practices in seed selection. It concludes that by fostering a culture of transparency and accountability in the seed sector, stakeholders can strive for a more stable and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
