Cottonseed germination relaxed

ISLAMABAD: The Federal government on Friday gave approval of 50 percent relaxation in cottonseed germination standards for kharif season 2020, which is starting from April 1.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar chaired the 17th meeting of the National Seed Council via video-link. The meeting approved temporary relaxation in cottonseed germination standard to 50 percent for the kharif 2020 season for both public and private sectors.

It was decided that price of seed will be reduced in proportionate to relaxation in germination percentage by public and private sectors. It was decided that provincial agricultural extension departments will launch an awareness campaign to inform farmers about the reduced price of seed with relaxed standard.

The meeting directed Seed Association of Pakistan to ensure actual germination standard is mentioned on the bag liable to adjust proper seed rate. The minister said no cottonseed below this germination standard should be offered for sale and in the case of violation, strict action should be taken under the provisions of the Seed Act,1976 (Seed Amendment Act 2015). He called for devising a viable mechanism in coordination with the federal and provincial departments to monitor the quality of seed germination.