ABSTRACT
The seed industry in Pakistan is huge yet informal because all, except progressive farmers, rely on saving and replanting seeds from year to year since this gives them security of access. Realizing the importance of quality seed of improved varieties, including hybrid and new crops, the government should devise policies replacing archaic regulations for promoting and fostering entrepreneurship in the seed industry. The ability to build entrepreneurial teams with complementary skills, knowledge, and experience would be the critical success factor in the industry. For this, a strong regulatory framework for ensuring seed quality, willing small and medium-sized seed enterprises capable of reaching to small farmers, a better marketing and distribution system to payoff and protect intellectual property rights (IPRs) is needed. Further, consistent enforcement of biosafety rules, DNA barcoding and forensic lab-based tests of crops, standing at the farmer's field and new varieties entering the NUVT (National Uniformity Varietal Trial) are urgently needed to improve seed industry of Pakistan for improving livelihood of populace.
