ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Economic Coordination Committee of the Federal Cabinet has ordered the abolition of Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) and the transfer of its functions to a “small cell” in the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal).

The decision, according to a reliable source, has thrown into jeopardy jobs of nearly 350 employees including farm scientists.

It was the most unkind cut for PODB also because the ECC meeting, held on November 4, 2002, which took this decision, had been slated only to consider the “action plan for enhancing oilseed production”. PODB had prepared this plan and it was assumed that it would be its implementing agency.

Earlier, in August 2002, the ECC, in response to a summary submitted by the Planning and Development Division on factors responsible for increase in the prices of various tinned and loose brands of vegetable ghee and cooking oils, had directed MINFAL to prepare an action plan for increasing production of oilseeds with particular emphasis on ensuring that canola would constitute one-third of total production of oilseeds.

Created in 1994 as the national forum for policy formulation, development and promotion of oilseeds in the country, PODB was asked to prepare the plan. The action plan, submitted by it, envisaged to meet 50 per cent of national edible oil requirement through domestic production in the next five years.

It also stipulated the production of local oilseed, introduction of new varieties and more scientific ways of utilising agricultural potential of the country as well as provision of latest machinery for sowing and harvesting to the farmers.

PODB, moreover, helped oilseed growers through technology transfer, oilseed production, multiplication, and processing. PODB’s scientists have developed four sunflower hybrids, one local canola hybrid and one canola variety. Seed of these hybrid varieties were provided to growers at cheaper rates compared to those of multinational seed companies.