Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain directed officials on 29 October to evaluate a proposal to shorten the timeframe for approving imported cotton seed to between 12 and 18 months within existing laws.
Current protocols for such approvals typically require roughly seven years to complete. An official statement confirmed that the proposed mechanism will not compromise mandatory scientific testing, biosecurity, or biosafety standards. Cotton cultivation is experiencing a persistent decline, particularly in the Punjab region.
Major constraints on the industry include inadequate mechanisation, poor-quality seed, climate variability, pest infestations, and the Cotton Leaf Curl Virus. Authorities considered a three-pronged strategy involving the introduction of the fast-track mechanism, facilitating imports of improved seed, and strengthening locally developed cotton seed.
A three-member committee led by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) will be formed to facilitate the acquisition of exotic cotton germplasm. The committee will include representatives from the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA) and the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC).
Rana Tanveer Hussain instructed the Department of Plant Protection to speed up Controlled Import Permits and pending Pest Risk Analyses. China has submitted its technical dossier, though officials requested additional information from the country. Engagement with Australia, Mexico, Kyrgyzstan, the United States, Kenya, Syria, and Türkiye remains dependent on their respective responses.
The National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA) was directed to ensure basic seed availability and expedite the processing of promising varieties. Varieties will be approved based on performance in specific agro-climatic regions rather than using uniform national criteria.
