UBL, SAU collaboration boosts seed development efforts in Sindh

In an endeavour to tackle the challenges encountered by farmers in Sindh, especially concerning the scarcity of certified cotton seeds and losses incurred due to substandard seeds, a collaborative initiative between Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) and United Bank Limited (UBL) is making significant strides in seed development.

Experts from SAU are resolute in their initiatives to provide certified cotton seeds to farmers across the province. They have identified the utilization of substandard seeds from private companies as a major contributor to crop losses, particularly in the cotton sector.

Stressing the significance of collaborative efforts between both institutions, they are actively engaged in the production and expansion of quality cotton seeds.

The inauguration ceremony of an experimental field for the production and expansion of cotton varieties, launched under the auspices of the Seed Production and Development Centre (SPDC), marked a significant milestone in this endeavor.

Dr. Inayatullah Rajper, Dean of the Faculty of Crop Production, highlighted the impact of floods on the cotton crop and underscored the urgent need for certified seeds to address the shortage. “Research efforts, supported by UBL, are focused on developing cotton and wheat seeds resilient to various seasons, with the university poised to soon deliver two varieties of cotton seeds to farmers.” He mentioned.

Syed Arif Ali Shah, Regional Head (Rural Banking) of UBL, commended the effectiveness of the collaboration with SAU in improving seed quality. Through this partnership, superior seed varieties are being transferred to farmers, while ongoing research aims to expand seed production capacity.

Prof. Dr. Zahoor Ahmed Soomro, Director of SPDC, emphasized the potential of the research field to produce more productive and disease-resistant seeds, offering a solution to the problem of poor seed quality faced by farmers.