Islamabad: Good quality seeds are important for enhancing farmers’ productivity and eventually ensuring food security but emerging technologies have created the need for capacity building of involved professionals and reforms in the seed sector in Pakistan.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under its project, “Building Capacity of Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD) to Facilitate Seed and Plant Supply Industry Regulations” will provide support to stakeholders to enhance their technical capacity.
FAO has launched this initiative upon the request of Government of Pakistan and aims at:

• Improving coordination and collaboration among key players of seed sector
• Facilitating inclusive value chain for wheat, rice, cotton and pluses and other crops to achieve increased availability of quality assured seed
• Supporting FSC&RD and other public and private seed sector entities to attain compliance with best international practices
• Capacity building of FSC&RD to carry out Distinct, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) tests to support effective variety protection under Plant Breeder Rights (PBRs) Act, 2016

At the inception workshop of this project that was held on May 24, Ms Minà Dowlatchahi FAO Representative in Pakistan welcomed the participants and appreciated their interest in becoming a part of this process. She underscored the presence of concerned professional and institutions from the public and private seed sectors.
Dr. Yusaf Zafar, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Francisco Gamarro, Deputy FAOR attended the workshop as the key guests of honors. Around 50 participants including Dr. Dennis Thompson, renowned seed sector expert from the US attended the workshop.
Government of Pakistan would continue to support the project in achieving the set goal and objectives.

Representing the Ministry of National Food Security and Research Mr. Imtiaz Ali, Food Security Commissioner appreciated the support provided by FAO under the Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) to the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department and other seed sector stakeholders in their technical capacity building. Ministry of National Food Security and Research would continue to support the Project in achieving the set goal and objectives.

Dr. Yusuf Zafar, Chairman PARC appreciated that this support from FAO will be catalytic in enhancing capacity of seed sector, and showed PARC readiness to extend support for success of this endeavour.
Dr. Shakeel Khan, Seed Sector consultant at FAO told participants that training resources; trainers; reference materials; and observational opportunities at stakeholder facilities to enhance those currently available to FSC&RD will be ensured.

Professionals form Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC&RD), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Provincial Agriculture Research System, Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, Development Partners, Agricultural Universities, Public and Private Seed Sectors as well as representatives from Ministries of National Food Security & Research and Ministry of Textile Industry attended the Workshop.