40 / SEEDWORLD.COM OCTOBER 2018 INTERNATIONALAGRICULTURALDEVELOPMENT Modernization: One Nation’s Journey A DRIVING FORCE behind recent key legisla- tive changes affecting Pakistan’s seed sector is Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Khan, a leading seed expert and the retired director general of Pakistan’s Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department. He is large of heart, personable and impactful in service. Dr. Shakeel believes the U.S. commercial seed industry should be aware of Pakistan’s developing seed industry — one that’s poised for modernization. This is due to a number of legislative changes, including the 2015 amendment to the Seed Act of 1976, followed by passage of new legislation of Plant Breeders’ Rights Act in 2016. Following these changes, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) retained Dr. Shakeel as the National Seed Sector expert to lead a seed sector capacity building initiative. Thus, the Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) was born in May 2017, providing necessary support to the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department. “We feel that the TCP created a kind of tide in the seed sector, which otherwise has a low level of momentum,” Dr. Shakeel says. “It provides a platform for Pakistan’s seed sector stakeholders to benefit from the technical capacity building programs.” FAO’s program focuses on four areas: compliance with international standards; competence in carrying out DUS (distinct, uniform and stable) evaluations; collaboration among seed sector stakeholders; and facilitation of inclusive value chains for wheat, rice, pulses and cotton to assure availability of quality seed. Coverage areas include Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Tando Jam and Peshawar. An inception workshop for 50 selected stakehold- ers kicked off the fledgling TCP in May 2017. Technical training events were held, as well as field days and workshops in conditioning plants with a focus on cotton, rice, wheat and gram crops for 128 participants. Participants learned about early generation seed production, including field inspection techniques. In addition, technical laboratory training and assistance was provided to nearly 70 participants with select equipment upgrades within the Islamabad Central Seed Testing Laboratory. DENNIS THOMPSON is dedicated to delivering solutions and empowering people and organiza- tions to solve complex problems related to international agricul- tural development and global food security. His career experience and international credentials include Extension education, agronomy and admin- istration. Courses included the UPOV Distance Education Courses, Plant Variety Protection and Examination of Applications for Plant Breeders’ Rights. In collaboration with the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, more than 250 seedsmen partici- pated in seminars that addressed the role of plant genetic resources in varietal development and seed systems. Furthermore, a stakeholder roundtable consultation was convened, designed to provide FAO feedback on how results from the TCP could underpin future more comprehensive interventions. By investing a modest sum to establish what has become an effective TCP, FAO has shown wisdom in that it is responsive to specific industry needs. Modern Misunderstandings Despite this progress, misunderstanding still exists related to the scope of the amended Seed Act and the adopted Plant Breeders’ Rights Act with respect to control over the approval of GM technology. With the 18th Constitutional Amendment, policymakers aimed to transfer responsibility from several federal ministries to the provinces; however, confusion remains. In short, the Seed Act and the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act do not provide legal control over the approval of GM technology. At present, GM technol- ogy is regulated by Pakistan’s National Biosafety Committee, which is housed under the Federal Ministry of Climate Change; whereas, seed is regulated by the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, which is housed under the Ministry of Food Security. However, once approved, the reg- istration of traits does fall under the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department. “The amended Seed Act entrusts the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department with seed sector development responsibility in addition to its former singular regulatory role,” says Dr. Shakeel. While challenges still exist with multiple agencies involved in the approval and regulatory processes, it seems all are working toward a common goal: to create an efficient, reliable system that makes it easy for all seed companies to conduct business. SW