In order to promote use of certified seeds among farmers, for increasing yield of agricultural produce and also to ensure participation of private sector in development and distribution of seeds, the government proposes to launch a seed mission soon.
According to a senior official with the state-owned National Seeds Corporation (NSC), the final draft of the mission is being worked out and is expected to be launched over the next 4-6 months.
“The purpose of this mission would be to ensure availability of certified and quality seeds across the country to farmers at reasonable prices,” S K Roongta, chairman and managing director, NSC told FE.
The seed mission would follow the models of jute technology mission launched in 2007-08 and technology mission on cotton started in 2000. The jute mission, aimed at augmenting demand of jute, was launched with a total outlay of Rs 355 crore in five years.
Roongta said, at present, only 30% of seeds used in agricultural are certified. The rest of the seed requirement is met through seed replacement method. For increasing yield, farmers must be encouraged to use only certified seeds from NSC and other private players, he said.
As per the present structure, NSC gets breeder seed from Indian Council for Agricultural Research and is multiplied and graded at its own farm facilities. Then it is tagged and sold through dedicated dealers to farmers.
On the availability front, Roongta categorically stated that there is no shortage of seeds in the country. The country needs around 245- 250 lakh quintals of seeds annually. “There is no shortfall in the seed availability and we have enough stocks to supply to farmers as per requirement,” he said.
About a year in advance, NSC carries out a demand forecast study to ascertain the expected demand of seeds in the coming months. Roongta said sometimes there is a shortage due to unexpected rise in demand of seeds and the corporation ensures that there is no seed left unused.
Out of the total estimated certified seed market of Rs 8,000 crore, NSC has a share of around Rs 2000 crore and the private companies control rest.
NSC has developed large number seeds belonging to as many as 67 agricultural products including paddy, wheat, sorghum, maize, bazra, potato etc. NSC has developed as many 44 varieties of wheat and 65 varieties of paddy.
However as per its NSC mandate to provide ‘monitoring availability of breeder, foundation & certified seeds of all Indian varieties’, the corporation has concentrating more on developing varieties for wheat, paddy and oil seeds.
Besides, NSC also focuses on setting up processing facility to ensure timely processing of seeds, creation of storing facilities for raw and processed seeds and ensure quality of seeds.