KARACHI: In a significant development towards boosting agricultural productivity, the Sindh government has approved 12 innovative varieties of cotton, wheat, mustard, ber and other crops developed by the province’s leading agricultural scientists.

These varieties were introduced during the 36th pivotal meeting of the Sindh Seed Council. The meeting was chaired by Minister for Agriculture Sardar Mohammad Bux Khan Mahar.

The council approved key varieties, such as CRS 644, CRS 674, CRS 682, the latest BT 2021 and Mian Resham non-BT cotton, as well as IV-3, Urooj 22, Akbar 19, Subhani 21, and a new pasta wheat. It also approved Mustard, Kizola and Lemai Golo Ber varieties.

Farmers’ representatives at the meeting expressed their serious concern over substandard rice seeds coming from Punjab, saying that this segment had suffered losses to the tune of millions of rupees on account of it.

Sardar Mahar ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and sought an immediate report from the officials concerned.

He said that the upcoming Seed Act would help curb counterfeit agricultural products and hold fraudulent companies accountable.

“Although, there have been improvements in the agricultural sector, more needs to be done to address weaknesses,” he said.

He also held out the assurance that new crop varieties would be approved only after consultations with farmers.

Director General of Research Mazhar Keerio told the meeting that the newly developed crop varieties were the results of cutting-edge scientific methods. “These crops will not only boost Sindh’s agricultural output, but will also push the province toward self-sufficiency in key crops,” he said.

The meeting was also attended by Agriculture Secretary Rafique Ahmed Buriro and the department’s director general Munir Ahmed Jumani; the Federal Seed Certification director general, agricultural scientists, representatives of leading seed companies and prominent leaders of the farming community.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2024