Wheat seed crisis looms as Rabi sowing nears — only 51% of the country’s requirement is available. The government has urged private seed companies to cut prices and ensure timely supply to farmers. Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research has called on private seed companies to bring down wheat seed prices before the Rabi sowing season begins. The reason: current seed stocks can cover just 51 percent of what the country actually needs.
Wheat Seed Crisis: Only 51% Seed Available as Sowing Season Nears
National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain led a meeting on Wednesday with private seed companies and the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA). The discussion centered on seed pricing and making sure wheat seed moves smoothly between provinces. According to the official statement, the goal was to cut farmers’ input costs and guarantee uninterrupted seed supply so sowing happens on time and national food security stays protected.
Certified Seed Use Still Low
The minister pointed out that limited use of certified wheat seed remains one of the biggest hurdles in wheat production. To tackle this, the government is pushing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and disease-resistant seed varieties through research and multiplication programs.
Small Farmers Hit Hardest
Hussain stressed that affordable seed, available on time, matters most for small farmers. Their buying decisions depend on the total cost of seed, fertilizer, irrigation, and other inputs combined — and expensive seed can force them to compromise on quality or quantity.
Ensuring Supply Across Provinces
The minister instructed NSDRA to make sure wheat seed moves freely between provinces. He added that close coordination with provincial governments and suppliers is needed to fix transport and distribution problems, so every farmer gets seed within the right sowing window.
For the 2026-27 Rabi season, only 611,793 tons of wheat seed are available against a total requirement of 1,191,555 tons — just 51 percent. The provincial breakdown is worrying:
Notably, the previous Rabi season (2025-26) faced the exact same situation — 574,329 tons available, again covering only 51 percent of the requirement.