Press Release
Dated. 06-12-2023

Caretaker Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik on Wednesday said that maize is a strategic crop with respect to national food security needs and the Ministry will make all efforts to promote latest technological innovation and provide an enabling policy for crop’s continued growth. He express these views during the meeting with CropLife Pakistan delegation.
    
Crop Life Pakistan delegation apprised the Federal Minister Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik of his contribution to the seed sector, in particular Maize, where over the past two decades yields have grown four-fold and overall production has increased from a little over 1 million metric tons to an impressive 10.5 million metric tons in 2022/23.

Federal Minister said that various steps have been taken to this end, including the enactment and implementation of Plant Breeders Rights Act, DNA finger printing to ensure transparency in intellectual right protection of seed companies and independent breeders, and streamlining of operating standards for seed companies to improve overall quality of seed research and supply.

The CropLife representatives further added that its member companies collectively market more than 80% of Pakistan’s hybrid maize seed and have invested significantly towards introducing the latest high-yielding hybrids and farmer education programs.