Wheat seed shortfall: certified seed covers only 51% of Rabi 2026-27 need, govt asks companies to cut prices

Pakistan has only enough certified wheat seed for 51% of what farmers need this Rabi season, and the government has asked private seed companies to cut prices before sowing starts, ProPakistani reported on Thursday, 15 October 2026, citing a Ministry of National Food Security and Research document and an official statement.

The seed gap, province by province

The ministry puts total certified seed requirement for 2026-27 at 1,191,555 tons, against 611,793 tons available through procurement.

Last Rabi season (2025-26) the country had 574,330 tons, also 51% of need. In short, supply rose by about 37,000 tons but the gap did not close.

What the government asked for

Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain met private seed companies and the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA) on Wednesday. According to the ministry:

1. Lower prices: seed companies were urged to reduce wheat seed prices so small farmers can afford certified seed alongside fertiliser, water and diesel.
2. Free movement between provinces: the NSDRA was told to make sure seed moves between provinces without hold-ups, coordinating with provincial departments and suppliers on transport.
3. On time: the aim is for farmers to have seed within the proper sowing window.

Hussain called the limited use of certified seed "a major challenge". No new price ceiling or subsidy was announced, and the ministry did not publish per-bag prices.

What it means for farmers and for flour

• Farmers in KP, Balochistan and Sindh depend most on uncertified seed saved from last year or bought in the open market, since certified supply covers under a quarter of their need. Lower-quality seed usually means lower yields per acre.
• For flour buyers: wheat sown in November and December is the crop that sets atta prices from next April. A weak crop means more imports, which are paid for in dollars; track the rupee on our dollar rate page.
• Diesel for tractors and tubewells is the other big sowing cost; see today's diesel price and work out a trip's cost with our fuel cost calculator.

Searchable will update this story when the government announces the wheat support price or any seed price agreement.