SEEDS

Introduction 

Seed is a critical and basic input for attaining sustained growth in agricultural production. Seed is the carrier of new technology for crops production. Distribution of assured quality seed is necessary for attaining higher crop yields. Policy initiatives taken by Government of India during 1960s and 1970s for quality seed production and distribution of improved plant varieties developed by the scientists is one of the reasons for the country’s self sufficiency in food grains. The Indian seed industry has shown impressive growth and should continue to provide further potential for growth in agricultural production. The role of the seed industry is not only to produce adequate quantity of quality seeds but also to achieve varietal diversity. 

Indian Seeds programme largely adheres to the limited generation system for seed multiplication. The system recognises three generations, namely, breeder, foundation and certified seed. Details of production of breeder and foundation seeds as well as certified seed distribution for 1998 – 99 to 2001 – 2002 and anticipated for 2002 - 2003 are as under:

 Production of Breeder, Foundation and Certified Seed 

     (i)  A – Anticipated: (ii) Data in parenthesis are of certified seed Distribution.

Movement of Seeds to the North Eastern States Sikkim, Jammu  & Kashmir, Himachal  Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Hill Areas of  West Bengal

                 Due to topographical situation and climatic conditions not conducive for the production of seeds in the North Eastern States including Sikkim, a Central Sector Scheme on Transport Subsidy on Movement of seeds was launched in 1986 - 87 through National Seeds Corporation Ltd. / State Farms Corporation of India Ltd., later on in 1995 – 96 through State Seeds Corporations also. As per this scheme, 50 percent of difference between rail and road transport charges for the movement of seeds by these agencies to Assam and 100 percent difference for the movement of seeds to other North Eastern States was being reimbursed.

                  From 1998 – 99, the scope of this scheme was widened by including the States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and hill areas of erstwhile Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal as they also had same situation. As per modified scheme, reimbursement of difference between rail and road transportation cost is allowed for the movement of seeds produced outside the State, and the actual cost, restricted to maximum of Rs. 60 per quintal for the movement of seeds within the State from State capital / district Headquarters to sale outlets / sale counters. 

During  Ninth Five Year Plan, there was a provision of Rs. 100000 thousand.  During 1997-98, there was a provision of Rs.  3000 thousand against which an amount of Rs. 2135 thousand was released based on the indenting of orders of beneficiary States.  There was a provision of Rs. 8500 thousand in the Revised Estimates for 1998-99.  Against this, Rs. 8288 thousand was released. During 1999 – 2000, there was a provision of Rs. 19800 thousand and an amount of Rs. 10176 thousand was reimbursed to the implementing agencies. There was a provision of Rs. 17000 thousand in RE 2000-01 and an amount of Rs. 13644 thousand was reimbursed.  There was a provision of Rs. 10000  thousand in BE 2001-02 and an amount of Rs. 13909 thousand was reimbursed.  For 2002-03 there is a provision of Rs. 17900 thousand in the Revised Estimates and by 31.12.2002 an amount of Rs 3424 thousand has been reimbursed.

Pilot Scheme for Seed Crop Insurance

     This scheme was initiated from Rabi 1999 – 2000 on a pilot basis in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, erstwhile Madhya Pradesh (undivided), Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (undivided). The crops covered are wheat, paddy, maize, jowar, bajra, gram, arhar, groundnut, sunflower, soyabean and cotton. The objectives of the scheme are as under: -

(i)   To provide financial security and income stability to the Breeder Seed growers in the event of   failure of seed crop ;

(ii)                To strengthen confidence in the existing seed breeder / growers and stimulate participation of  new breeder / growers to undertake seed production programme of newly released hybrid /  improved varieties;

(iii)               To provide stability to the infrastructure established by the State owned Seed

             Corporations / State Farms;

(iv)            To give a boost to the Modern Seed Industry to bring it under scientific principles.  

The scheme is being implemented through the General Insurance Corporation of India Limited (GIC) which will provide protection against the risks, which are beyond the control of the breeder / registered seed growers. The outlay under this scheme is intended to meet the costs of the publicity to some extent, cost of telegram / telephone / fax / telex expenditure, other certified expenditure. The losses covered are (i) failure of seed crop in field either in full or in part due to the perils indicated in the scheme, (ii) loss in expected raw seed yield due to perils and additional perils,  (iii) loss of seed crop after harvest and before its removal from the seed field for transportation to Seed Processing Plant due to perils identified in scheme, (iv) failure of seed lots at seed certification stage due to perils already identified in the scheme. The Breeders / Seed Growers/ Seed Producers have to pay the premium amount.

For 1999 – 2000, there was a provision of Rs. 10000 thousand.  Out of this, an amount of Rs. 2650 thousand was released to the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC).  Another sum of Rs. 5000  thousand was released to 10 identified State Seed Certification Agencies and an amount of Rs. 1000 thousand was released to the State Governments for Seed Producing organizations. During 2000 – 2001, there was a provision of Rs. 10000 thousand.  Out of this, an amount of Rs. 7000 thousand was released to various State Seeds Certification Agencies and  State Seeds Corporations including National Seeds Corporation and State Farms Corporation of India. An amount of Rs. 5000 thousand was  provided in BE 2001-02 which was revised to Rs. 2500 thousand in the Revised Estimates and  Rs. 2000 thousand was released.  For 2002-03, Rs. 100 thousand was provided in the Budget Estimates and so far no amount has been released. 

The National Council of Applied Economic Research has been requested to conduct evaluation study of the scheme to make it more attractive to the seed growers.

Scheme for Establishment and  Maintenance of Seed Bank 

The scheme entitled “National Programme for Varietal Development” was initiated in 1995-96 during the Eighth Five Year Plan and was continued upto 1997-98 during the Ninth Five Year Plan.  However, from 1999-2000,  the scheme has been revised and a new scheme entitled “Establishment  and Maintenance of Seed Bank” has been launched with the basic objectives of meeting requirement of seed during natural calamity and also development of necessary infrastructure for storage of seed.  The scheme is being implemented through National Seeds Corporation, State Farms Corporation of India and State Seed Corporations of several States.  A  provision of Rs.110000 thousand was made for the scheme in B.E. 2002-03 which has been revised to Rs. 7000 thousand in R.E.2002-03.This provision includes an amount of Rs.4000 thousand for North Eastern  States.  

Under the Scheme, for maintenance of Certified and Foundation seed of identified crops, grants are provided to the participating Seed Corporations for meeting the cost of revolving funds (i.e. 50% amount of procurement cost), revalidation charges (@ Rs.100/- per Qtl.), transportation cost (@ Rs.100/- per Qtl.), processing and packing charges (@ Rs.100/- per Qtl.) storage cost (@ Rs.8/- per Qtl. for 6 months), storage losses (@ 0.25% of value of seeds), insurance cost of seed during storage(@ 0.5% of value of seeds) and price differential for undistributed quantity of seeds.  This Scheme has also a provision for creation of storage facilities as well as setting up of a data Bank for facilitating fast flow of information on the availability of seeds.  Assistance is also available for State Seed Certification Agencies for strengthening of quality control infrastructure. 

During the year 2001-2002, the Seed Corporations have maintained 12087.6 MT  of Certified Seed and 755.2 MT of Foundation Seed of various identified crops against the targets of 13052.2 MT and 1000.2 MT respectively.  The crops covered under the scheme are Wheat, Paddy, Maize, Sorghum, Bajra, Gram, Peas, Urad, Moong, Lentil, Arhar, Soybean, Sunflower, Cotton, Sesamum and Toria, etc.  For NE States, a separate physical target of 1407.5 MT of certified seed was kept against which 1352.5 MT. of seed has been maintained.  For the year 2002-03, a physical target of 13300.0 MT of certified seed (including 1100.0 MT for NE States) and 920.0 MT of foundation seed has been kept.
 

Implementation  of Legislation on Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Protection  

The  scheme for implementation of Legislation on Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Protection was launched during the Ninth Five Year Plan.  The Bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and was assented to by the President of India on 30^th October, 2001.  The implementation of this legislation involves the setting up of a Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Protection Authority which will be assigned a number of functions.  An outlay of Rs.55000 thousand  was kept for  the scheme in BE  2002-03 which has been revised to Rs. 10000 thousand in R.E.2002-03.  

The objectives of the legislation are:- 

     - To stimulate investments for research and development both in the public and the private sectors for the development of new plant varieties by ensuring appropriate returns on such investments; and

     - To facilitate the growth of seed industry in the country through domestic and foreign investment which will ensure the availability of high quality seeds and planting material to Indian farmers.

      The Salient features of the legislation are: 

-  The legislation extends to all categories of plants except micro-organisms.

-  In order to be eligible for protection, a variety must be new, distinct, uniform and stable.

-  The legislation contains provisions for compulsory licensing in the public interest.

Farmers will continue to enjoy their traditional rights to save, use, exchange, share and sell their produce of the protected variety with the only restriction that the farmers will not be able to sell branded seed of the protected variety for commercial purposes. Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Protection Authority to be set up will be vested with necessary executive powers to perform all functions relating to the protection of plant varieties.

Strengthening of Seed Quality Control

The Scheme aims at strengthening of quality control arrangements for seeds in order to ensure that farmers get good quality seeds.  The Seeds Act, 1966 regulates the quality of seeds sold/distributed to the farmers through voluntary certification and compulsory labelling of seeds of notified kind/varieties.  An outlay for Rs. 250000 thousands has been kept for this scheme during the Tenth  Plan period.  For the year 2002-2003, there is a budget provision of Rs. 25500 thousands.  The scheme Quality Control arrangements on Seeds has the following components: 

-            Setting up of National Seeds Research & Training Centre (NSRTC) at Varanasi.

-            Secretariat support to Central Seed Committee/Central Seed Certification Board.

-            Strengthening of State Seed Certification Agencies and State Seed Testing Laboratories.

-            Strengthening of Seeds Division.

-            Financial assistance to Central Seed Testing Laboratory (CSTL).

-            Financial assistance to National Seeds Corporation (NSC)/ State Seed Corporations (SSC).  

Setting up of National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) at  Varanasi 

National Seed Research and  Training Centre (NSRTC) at Varanasi is being set up to impart training to the personnel working in various seed development organisations.  The proposed Seed Testing Laboratory of NSRTC at Varanasi would also act as Central Seed Testing Laboratory as required under the Seeds Act, 1966 in due course of time replacing the present Central Seed Testing Laboratory  at  Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI),  New Delhi.  An amount of Rs. 129000 thousands has already been provided so far including  Rs. 59500 thousands during 2001-02.   During 2002-03, an amount of Rs. 3500 thousands has been released.  This Project is likely to be completed shortly by CPWD.

Strengthening of Seeds Development Organisations (State Seed Certification Agencies and State Seed Testing Laboratories)
 

The scheme envisages strengthening of 15 Seed Testing Laboratories and 10 Seed Certification Agencies during the Tenth  Five Year Plan period.  As on date, 22 State Seed Certification Agencies and 101 Seed Testing Laboratories are functioning in the country.  About 728400 MT.  of seeds were certified during the year 2000-01 and 622300 MT. (Provisional) of seed were certified during the year 2001-2002.  These laboratories have also been upgraded and strengthened to undertake varietal, purity analysis and other quality parameters so as to conform to the seed standards prescribed. During the year 2000-01, 5,61,124 numbers of seed samples were tested by these seed testing laboratories.  Similarly, during the year 2001-02, 3,66,500 numbers (Provisional) of seed samples were tested by these seed testing laboratories.  During 2001-02, an amount of Rs. 4500 thousands @ Rs. 1500 thousands each to States of Bihar (Sone Command Area Agency), Nagaland, for strengthening of their State Seed Testing Laboratories, and to Uttaranchal State Seed Certification Agency for computerization,  has been released.  During 2002-03, an amount of Rs. 1500 thousands has been released to Uttaranchal for strengthening of their Seed Testing Laboratory. 

The responsibility of Seed Law Enforcement is vested with the State Governments.  The Seed Inspectors duly notified under the relevant provisions of the Seeds Act and Seed (Control) Order, 1983 visit the premises of seed distributing agency and draw samples for testing.  Action is taken against the seller of sub-standard seeds as per provisions specified in the Seeds Act/Rules and Orders.  Nine thousand nine hundred and twenty four  notified Seed Inspectors all over the country drew 84,421 (Provisional) seed samples under the Seeds Act during the year 2001-2002.  Of these, six thousand six hundred forty one  seed samples were found sub-standard.  These Inspectors were also authorised to issue stop sale orders and seizure of the stock once the seed was found sub-standard. 

Financial Assistance to National Seed Corporation/ State Seed Certification Agencies/ State Seeds Corporations

To achieve the targeted seed distribution of 1120000 MT. during 2002-03, it is imperative to identify the development of human resources.  The development of human resources is of prime importance for the development of seed sector in India.  It is proposed to organise the training in regular manner for the officials who are engaged in seed development programme with a view to achieve the aforesaid targeted seed distribution.  An amount of Rs. 1000 thousands has been proposed to be released to 17 development agencies for conducting 20 training programmes during 2002-03 @ Rs. 50 thousand each.

Strengthening of Seed Division of DAC

There are two wings of Seed Division viz. Administration and Technical Wing.  Administration wing deals with administrative functions of National Seeds Corporation Ltd. (NSC), State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI), Seeds Corporations etc. and Technical wing handles the functions of Central Seed Committee (CSC), Central Seed Certification Board (CSCB) and its Sub-Committees, assessment of seed replacement, requirement and development of seed etc.  Therefore, the amount earmarked for the Ninth Five Year Plan i.e. 2000 thousand was utilised for purchase of books, computers, machine and materials and to arrange symposium, seminar, etc.  During the year 2001-02, some important reference books and journals relating to seed development have been  purchased for updating the knowledge of technical officials working in the Seed Division.  An amount of Rs. 50 thousand was released to Indian Society for Seed Technology during 2001-02 for organizing a national seminar at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwar (Karnataka).  It has been proposed to organize National Workshop on Seed Certification and Seed Testing in Uttaranchal and Tamilnadu with financial assistance of Rs. 100 thousand each to the organizing agencies for this purpose.

Secretariat Support to Central Seed Committee (CSC) and Central Seed Certification Board (CSCB)
 

In accordance with the provisions of Seeds Act, 1966, Central Seed Committee and Central Seed Certification Board were established so as to carry out the functions assigned  to it.  Besides, two Central Sub-Committees namely; Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops and Horticultural Crops and State Seed Sub-Committees for Agricultural and Horticultural crops were also established.   3176 varieties of Agricultural and Horticultural crops have been notified as on 30.12.2002.  In addition, Central Seed Certification Board was also set up under the provisions of Seeds Act,1966  for formulating the guidelines and procedures with regards to seed certification in the country and to maintain the uniformity for seed certification standards.  An amount of Rs. 1000 thousand has been earmarked for strengthening the CSC & CSCB for the year 2002-03.
 

Financial Assistance to Central Seed Testing Laboratories
 

According to the Seeds Act, 1966, there should be a Central Seed Testing Laboratory (CSTL) to initiate seed testing programmes in collaboration with State Seed Testing Laboratories designed to promote uniformity in test results between all seed laboratories in India, collect data continuously on the quality of seeds found in the market and make this data available to the committee, and to coordinate investigations to the methods of germination, etc.  to standardize the testing procedure.  Since there is no independent Central Seed Testing Laboratory as on date, a laboratory of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute has been designated as such since 1969. The CSTL is the only laboratory to perform the functions of seed testing samples when called upon to do so by various courts.  During the Ninth Plan, financial assistance of Rs. 1000 thousand was provided.  An amount of Rs. 2500 thousand was also released in the current year i.e. during 2002-03.
 

Policy on Export/Import of Seeds and Planting Materials:
 

In order to encourage export of seeds in the interest of farmers, the procedure for export permission for seed has been simplified.  Seeds of privately developed varieties/ hybrids will be  allowed to be exported freely, except where there is any emergency caused by the natural calamities and seed is required for meeting the  demand within the country.  Export against orders for which production of seed is organised, is allowed without restriction.  In other cases, export is permitted freely subject to the provision of the EXIM Policy (2002-2007).  Import of seeds and planting materials is also allowed subject to New Policy on Seed Development, 1988 read with PFS Order, 1989 and as per the Exim Policy, 2002-07.

Seed Policy Reforms
 

The Seed Policy Review Group constituted in October 1998 under the Chairmanship of Dr. M.V. Rao, ex-Vice Chancellor, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University to review the seed policy of 1988   identified the areas requiring reforms.

In the consultation on Seed Sector Reforms held on 17.9.99, a frame-work for Seed Sector Reforms covering the following areas was approved:
 

i)           Seed Production and Distribution.

ii)                   Quality Control and Seed Legislation.

iii)                 Import and Export of seeds.

iv)                 Plant Quarantine.

v)                  Plant Breeders and Farmers Rights.

vi)                 Foreign investment in Seed Sector.
 

A Core Group was constituted to further examine these recommendations.  Subsequently an open discussion was held with all State Governments/UTs., Seed Corporations, Seed Certification Agencies, Agricultural Universities, etc.  Based on this, the existing Seeds Act, 1966 is proposed to be replaced by a suitable legislation.  The draft Seeds Bill, 2002 is under consideration by the Ministry of Law.  

Salient features of the proposed Seeds Act, 2002 are:- 

(i)          Establishment of National Seeds Board as a permanent body for effective monitoring of seed development programme in the country.

(ii)        Registration of seed varieties by National Seed Board.

(iii)      Establishment of seed Certification Agencies or organisations by State Govts.

(iv)      Registration of seed processing units.

(v)        De-regulation and de-control of seed Industry.

(vi)      Minimum standards needed for import and export of seeds.

CITIZENS’ CHARTER 

Activities/Schemes Taken up in North Eastern States

Central Sector Scheme on “The Movement of Seeds to the North – Eastern States, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal and Hill areas of  West Bengal”.

             Under this scheme reimbursement of 100 percent difference between road and rail transportation charges is made to implementing agencies for the movement of the seed produced outside the States to State capital / district headquarters.

Further, for transportation of seed within the state from State Capital / district headquarter to sale counter / sale outlet is also reimbursed on actual basis subject to maximum limit of Rs. 60 /- per quintal whichever is less to implementing agencies designated by State Government. The fund reimbursed to implementing agencies during 1997 – 98 to 2001 – 2002 is as under:

Funds reimbursed to implementing Agencies

Out of Rs. 13909 thousand, following amount were reimbursed to North Eastern States during 2001-02:

In addition to this, National Seeds Corporation, State Farms Corporation of India, West Bengal State Seeds Corporation, Uttar Pradesh Seeds and Tarai Development Corporation, Assam State Seeds Corporation etc. also availed transport subsidy for major portion of seed transported to North Eastern States by these Corporations.  During 2001-02, a sum of Rs. 7341 thousand has been reimbursed exclusively for the benefit of North Eastern States.

Programmes of North-Eastern States