Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema says the use of latest seed technologies is vital to enhance productivity and the agriculture sector will benefit from the transfer of technology.

He said this while chairing a meeting of a committee on cotton revival to consult stakeholders and review the proposals for enhancement of yield and area of cotton crop. The meeting was held in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The committee members decided to encourage technology providing seed companies to market their cotton seeds in Pakistan. In this regard, a committee has been constituted, which will negotiate with the seed companies and facilitate them in introduction of cotton seed with new technology in the local market.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud asked the committee members to revisit the criteria for registration of seed companies. He said that the companies which are providing sub-standard quality seeds should be penalized and steps should be taken to protect farmers from spurious seeds.