A good seed is vital for good crop production, and one of the ways to increase crop productivity is by planting a healthy seed. While farmers have little control over environmental factors like floods or drought, they can ensure that the seed is disease-free.

To this end, the federal seed certification and registration department has worked to meet international seed testing standards.

The department sent Dr Naseem Begum and Syeda Mehmoona Kokab to Australia on a study tour of seed laboratories for a project supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

The department’s laboratory is now under the process of acquiring accreditation from the International Seed Testing Association. Once accredited, the laboratory’s test results will be accepted internationally, which is vital for seed imports and exports.

This seed testing laboratory receives samples from over 800 seed companies registered by the department. The seeds arrive before sowing begins, and the laboratory studies whether the seed is fit for growing and breeding.

“The continuing challenge in Pakistan is that farmers mostly use traditional seed breeding methods, and do not use certified seeds as they are costly,” health laboratory technical manager Dr Naseem Begum said.

The laboratory in Islamabad performs a series of tests right after the samples arrive. Once they have been coded, they are taken for three tests. First, a health test where scientists check the seed for any seed borne diseases. Next is a germination test, where seeds are sown and kept in a maintained environment – if the seed does not germinate, it is determined unfit for harvest.

The third test is called the ‘purity’ test, during which the seed is checked for impurities like weeds or other crops. The laboratory generates tags as warranty for all the samples sent back to companies.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2015