AP seed ind expects 25% rise in sales

Increase in the area sown under various crops due to timely arrival of southwest monsoon and receipt of above normal rainfall to help the industry meet its target

The state seed industry is expecting a 25 per cent rise in sales and turnover in the current financial year as there has been an increase in the area sown under various crops due to timely arrival of southwest monsoon and receipt of above normal rainfall.

In 2012-13, the industry sold 4 million quintals of seed valued at about Rs 3,000 crore. Groundnut, cotton and paddy accounted for bulk of these sales. The value of vegetable seed sold in the year was around Rs 300 crore.

According to the state Seedsmen Association president M Harish Reddy, crops have been sown in an extent of 7.4 million hectares so far during this year's kharif season.

The extent of sown comprises 76.34 per cent of the cultivable area in the state, higher than the normal sown area of 75.93 per cent. Cultivation of maize, paddy and soybean has seen an increase over last year.

The association held its 18th annual general meeting here on Wednesday.