Hybrid seeds give high production compared to variety seeds and government should provide sufficient subsidy on hybrid seeds, especially to small farmers in next budget for 2009-10 to improve the per acre yield. This demand was made by Mian Shaukat Masud, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a statement. He said the government should also encourage the more use of hybrid seeds to increase production of different crops along with ensuring availability of good quality seeds to farmers.  He said the use of hybrid seeds in developed countries was on the rise while according to some sources; only China was getting almost 250 percent more rice production against that of Pakistan by using hybrid seed. He stressed upon the government to provide strong R&D support to agriculture sector for enhancing the production of all crops.

Mian Shaukat Masud said that small farmers are the backbone of Pakistan’s agriculture and government should provide them hefty subsidy on purchase of hybrid seeds for improving crops production. He opined that more than 65 percent of the population lives in rural areas and their financial support in improving agriculture productivity will create a trickle up effect by increasing their purchasing power. He said financial empowerment of rural population will create more domestic demand giving a strong boost to business and economic activities in the country. He was of the opinion that due to great decrease in demand in international markets triggered by global recession, increasing the domestic demand is the best option for sustainable economic development of the country.

ICCI President said Pakistan should develop enhanced cooperation with China for production of high quality hybrid seeds along with technology transfer to improve agriculture production many times. This will tremendously improve the income of small farmers resulting into strengthening the national economy. He was of the view that by adopting hybrid seeds technology, Pakistan could earn billions of dollars through increasing export of its agriculture products. He said that now it was the high time for Pakistan to earn agro-dollars through research-oriented agriculture like Arab countries were earning Petro-dollars through petroleum products. He said increased demand of food products in world markets has created great potential for Pakistan to capture big share in international food market by going for enhanced use of high quality hybrid seeds.