ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has been informed the government has finalised the national `biotechnology policy`, which is ready for submission to the cabinet for approval.

The meeting, chaired by MNA Syed Tariq Hussain, on Friday discussed agri sector`s challenges and other food security issues.

Experts told the committee the government`s reluctance to embrace genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was one of the impediments to the progress in sustainable farming.

The officials of CropLife Pakistan, an agency tasked with promoting modern farming technologies and sustainable agriculture, briefed the committee on research and development in the seed sector, as well as challenges and potential solutions.

As per the briefing, the farming sector faced significant obstacles, including insufficient research and development, restrictive import policies, delays in import permits and a lack of access to advanced genetics and biotechnology.

Also, the government`s hesitation to embrace GMOs over potential health concerns further slowed progress.

According to CropLife officials, integrated pest management, robotics and digital farming, gene editing, seed and biotechnology policies, improved soil and water management, crop protection and climate-resilient seeds were solutions to overcome the agri sector`s challenges.

These innovations were crucial to boost productivity, ensuring food secu-rity, and building resilience against climate change, the committee was told.

The meeting highlighted the seed policy had been pending before the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for a long time. It urged the officials to forward the policy to the Prime Minister`s Office for approval.

On the issue of taxing cotton, the Federal Board of Revenue informed the committee that GST will be imposed on imported cotton from August 15.

This long-awaited step, recommended by the committee, aimed to create parity between imported and locally produced cotton. The move is expected to stabilise domestic cotton prices and support local growers, according to FBR.

A Statutory Regulatory Order notifying the new tax would be issued next Tuesday, the committee was told.

Tobacco sector The committee also discussed the challenges faced by tobacco growers and called for a comprehensive policy framework to address the issues.

The members were briefed on the current tobacco taxation policy, the framework for collection and utilisation of the CESS fund over the past ten years, the PTB`s corporate social responsibility initiatives and a potential crop insurance scheme.

The PTB secretary briefed on actions taken in response to the committee`s previous recommendations to resolve longstanding challenges faced by tobacco growers.

The meeting was told a fund of Rs949 million allocated for research and development in the tobacco sector remains unutilised as the position of the PTB director was vacant.

A representative of toabecor growers said farmers were facing difficulties in selling their crops.

The committee directed the food secretary to implement meaningful reform and consult the growers on issues related to the tobacco sector.