The country is amending laws to end the public sector monopoly over the agriculture seed business and allow the private sector to produce basic seeds.
In this regard, Seed Amendment Bill 2014 was introduced in the National Assembly yesterday.
The draft bill, introduced by Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan, proposes amendments to the Seed Act 1976. These changes, the minister said, were required as the act in its present form “does not fulfil the requirements of the modern seed industry”.
“Over the years the capacity of the public sector has been impaired and the private sector is playing stronger and more vibrant role in developing seed industry,” he said. “The innovations in hybrid technology and Genetically Modified Crops (GMC) have transformed the industry.”
