Islamabad - The Central Seed Testing Laboratory (CSTL) would soon have an accreditation as it has submitted a case for seeking assessment and approval to Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC).
The CSTL after accreditation would be able to issue internationally acceptable certificates of seed analysis which would be a value addition to agri-product in terms of seed exports.
An official source at Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department (FSCRD) on Sunday told APP that quality seed is the most desirable input for improving yield as improving access to good quality seed is a critical requirement for sustainable agricultural growth and food security. The official said about 3,72,000 tonnes of improved seeds of various Kharif and Rabi crops was procured during last more than nine months while procurement of seeds for various Kharif crops including cotton, paddy, maize, moong bean, etc is under progress.
He said FSCRD is also engaged in providing seed certification coverage to public and private sector seed companies of the country and provides seed quality control services through its 28 testing laboratories. With regard to its achievements during this year, the official said a total of 3,49,000 acres of different crops offered by various seed agencies were inspected for certification purposes.
A working paper for registration of 22 new seeds companies and for de-registration cases of 52 dormant seed companies has been submitted to Ministry of National Food Security and Research for forthcoming meeting of its Working Group.
Moreover, he said a total quantity of 3,22,000 MT seeds of various crops were sampled and tested for purity, germination and seed health purposes. He said Pre and post control trials of all pre-basic, basic seeds lots and 20 per cent of certified seeds lots were carried out in fields to determine the quality of seeds distributed by various seed agencies. During the period, the official said under provision of Seed Act Enforcement, 58 cases were filed in different courts of law against the seed dealers found selling substandard seeds and added imported seeds of various crops/hybrids to the tune of 47,000 MT with a total value of Rs.11.3 billion was tested. He said almost 461 samples of seeds and propagating material of various crops, vegetables and fruits were also tested at Central Seed Testing Laboratory, Islamabad for detection of fungal and viral diseases using latest diagnosis techniques and protocols.
Furthermore, he said, to strengthen seed certification services in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) a project  called Strengthening of Seed Certification Services for Food Security in GB has been approved with objective to strengthen Seed Testing Laboratory (STL), Gilgit, establishment of STL at Skardu and training of officials of stakeholders.