“SEED POLICY IN INDIA”

INDIA AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM-2019

OBJECTIVES After having achieved food sufficiency, the aim now is to

achieve food and nutritional security at the household level.

Increased agriculture production with bio fortification.

To enhance more and more area under certify seed production.

Harmonize development of Seed Sector in PPP mode.

To make available best quality seed to the Indian farmers available any where in the world at affordable price.

Application and adoption of biotechnological tools for weak areas of varietal development.

THRUST AREAS

VARIETAL DEVELOPMENT AND PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION

• The development of new and improved varieties of

agri & horti crop plants and availability of such varieties to Indian farmers

• An effective sui generis system for intellectual property protection

• International treaties for mutual benefits and joining Regional and International Organizations for development of Robust research system.

SEED PRODUCTION

• For Nation's food security, make available to best seed and planting material to Indian farmers.

• free access of breeder seed to Public Sector Seed Production Agencies under the National Agriculture Research System.

• Private Seed Production Agencies will also have access to breeder seed subject to terms and conditions.

• Special attention to upgrade the quality of farmers’ saved seeds.

• Seed Banks in case of calamities.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Revision of The Seeds Act to regulate the sale, import and export of seeds and planting materials.

• Farmers will be encouraged to use certified seeds to ensure

• improved performance and output.

• Seed Certification as voluntary process. The Certification tag/label will provide an assurance of quality to the farmer.

QUALITY ASSURANCE contd. • To meet quality assurance requirements for

export of seeds,

• Seed Testing facilities will be established in conformity with

• Participation in ISTA and OECD seed certification program.

• Protection Farmers’ Right Protection.

SEED DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING

• The availability of high quality seeds to farmers through an improved distribution system.

• promoting efficient and timely distribution and marketing of seed throughout the country.

• Mechanism will be established for collection and

• Dissemination of market intelligence regarding preference of consumers and farmers.

INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES

• To meet the enhanced requirement of quality/certified seeds, creation of new infrastructure facilities.

• Seed bank for Natural Calamities

• National Seed Research and Training Center to impart training and build a knowledge base in various disciplines of the seed sector.

INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES contd.

• Central Seed Testing Laboratory established at the National Seed Research and Training Center to perform referral and other functions as required under the Seeds Act.

• Seed processing capacity will be augmented to meet the enhanced requirement of quality seed.

Import & Export of Seeds and Planting Material

• Import of seeds of vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants, cuttings, saplings of flowers, tubers and bulbs of subjected to post-entry quarantine.

• Strong seed production system and infrastructure and market opportunities for export of seeds.

• To encourage custom production of seeds for export and dispensing the export proposal on case to case basis.

Way Forward

• Traceability and Bar code

• Quality testing labs.

• Certification system in states

• Raise India's share of global seed export from less than 2% to 10% by the year 2025.

• Establishment and strengthening of Export Oriented Seed Zone.

THANKS