The Importance of Regulating Hybrid Seed Imports

Agricultural engineer Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Fraih criticized non-technical entities for importing hybrid seeds and introducing them into the Kuwaiti market without the knowledge or approval of the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries, In a statement to Al-Qabas, he said that seeds are a key component of agricultural production, and this component must be given attention if we wish to develop and enhance the country’s plant resources. He explained that hybrid seeds require special handling in terms of transportation and storage from the moment they leave the factory until they reach the producer, He recommended purchasing these seeds from reliable sources and storing them in a cool place so that farmers’ money is not wasted and their efforts go to waste. A Developing World Engineer Al-Farih added that the world of seeds is a developing one; every season, new seeds are introduced that are better than their predecessors. Therefore, a technical committee must be formed, with the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries as a member, as the official body responsible for agriculture in Kuwait, to establish specifications for the agricultural supplies required by farmers and permitted for import. and their circulation in the local market—not only seeds but also fertilizers, plastic, and other items. He said: “There are many entities that are not agriculturally qualified, which purchase seeds from unknown sources and sell them to farmers at cheap prices,” He expressed regret that some farmers purchase these seeds, explaining that dealing with known sources for seed sales in the country—those certified by the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries Affairs—is better for the farmer, even if they pay more, because the higher cost of the seed, due to its high price, will be offset by abundant production and good prices. He added that research and experiments in the seed industry are ongoing, with some lasting for decades on a single variety. In the tomato sector, for example, there are ongoing experiments on fresh tomatoes—those eaten directly—and other experiments on processing tomatoes—those used to make paste—while taking disease resistance into account in each case. Furthermore, this research requires high scientific expertise. Al-Fraih warned against purchasing counterfeit or smuggled seeds, stating: “Counterfeiting in the seed industry occurs just as it does in all other industries.” Naturally, counterfeit or smuggled seeds are sold at a lower price than certified or imported seeds. It is of the utmost importance that the General Authority for Agricultural Affairs, in cooperation with relevant authorities, educate farmers on the importance of purchasing certified seeds and the conditions for their proper storage. All of this calls for urging farmers not to deal with street vendors when purchasing hybrid seeds and not to opt for the cheapest option, but rather the best, proven, and properly stored seeds, so that efforts and money are not wasted, especially since a kilo of hybrid tomatoes costs around 3,000 and cucumber seeds are sold individually due to their exorbitant cost. Engineer Al-Fraih urged the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries not to take a laissez-faire approach to seed imports and sales in Kuwait, ensuring that unregistered seeds or those failing to meet transportation and storage requirements are not permitted for import. and the best way to transport hybrid seeds from the factory to Kuwait is by air or express mail, as high temperatures destroy the viability of the seeds no matter how well they are packaged. Here, it is essential to revitalize the Agriculture Authority’s Research Department so that hybrid seeds are not permitted to be imported or commercially traded until field trials have been conducted on them over several growing seasons by experienced agricultural engineers.