LAHORE (PPI) - The Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) has pledged to work hand in hand with the government for achieving 15 million cotton bales target set for 2011-12 crop season. The assurance was given by the SAP Executive Committee met here Saturday. The meeting was chaired by SAP Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik. Agriculture Development Commissioner (ADC) MinFA Inayat Ullah Khan, Director General, Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department (DG, FSC&RD) Mohammad Nasir Hussain Shah and Vice Chairman SAP Dr Qaiser Rashid also spoke on the occasion and gave their point of view on as to how the target could be achieved. There was a consensus among all the participants that better crop management and increase in cotton sowing area were the prerequisites for improvement in production. The SAP Executive Committee also suggested that varieties and quantity of seed for the different areas keeping in view their ecological condition need to be worked out and communicated to plan timely availability/placement of seed in proposed areas. The SAP Executive Committee members while appreciating the government efforts assured their full support and cooperation in supply of seed. Agriculture Development Commissioner (ADC) MinFA Inayat Ullah Khan informed the SAP Executive Committee that for increase in cotton sowing area, the government has decided to promote cotton crop in Mianwali and Pothohar plateau of Punjab, DI Khan, Tank Districts of KP and Sibi, Loralai, Nasirabad, Chaghi, Dera Bughti, Jaffarabad, Uthal, Lasbela, Khuzdar districts of Balochistan. The ADC explained the teething problems in introducing any crop in new areas in general but provision of subsidized seed in particular for launching the project. The Director General, Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department (DG, FSC&RD) Mohammad Nasir Hussain Shah, expressed the pivotal role of seed in better production of any crop. He emphasized upon the seed companies to ensure supply of better seed of cotton with permissible germination standards. In case of any relaxation in germination, the seed bags must be clearly marked with pc of germination and the quantity of seed per acre to facilitate the farmer in selection and sowing correct quantity of seed to achieve optimum plant population. It is morally and ethically responsibility of the seed companies to honor the commitments of their product. Chairman SAP and the members assured the DG FSC&RD of their responsibilities and agreed to enforce the display on the seed bags/tags.