Govt To Introduce More Reforms In Seed Sector

The government proposes to introduce more reforms in the seed sector to create an environment for quicker growth of the private sector seed industry. The emphasis will be on encouraging the production of good quality seed and planting material in a relatively liberal atmosphere.

The seed Act was proposed to be amended to introduce a system of self certification of seeds by seed producing companies. However, registration of all varieties of seeds will be mandatory.

This was indicated by agriculture secretary JNL Srivastava in the consultative meeting on horticultural seeds and planting material. The meet was organised jointly by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) and the agriculture ministry.

Srivastava said the new policy would aim at encouraging the production and availability of quality seeds even in the remote areas to tackle the menace of sub-standard and spurious seeds. Liberal provisions for the import of seeds of vegetables and fruits would continue.

The passage of the new plant varieties and breeders and farmers rights Act was expected to encourage the private sector to conduct research on development of new seed varieties and improvement in their quality.

Talking about tissue culture industry which was producing planting material for various horticultural crops, the agriculture secretary said many of these units were sick now. The government was examining various policy options to improve the viability of this industry.

NHRDF director UB Pandey said shortage of good quality, disease-free planting material was a formidable constraint in raising the production of vegetables and fruits.

Though most horticultural nurseries had succeeded in multiplying seed and planting material, they did not maintain the sanitary and phyto-sanitary environment needed for the production of disease-free material.

The 10th Plan has envisaged an annual growth of seven per cent for the horticulture sector to raise the total output from the present 148 million tonnes to around 265 million tonnes. The 10th Plan outlay for this sector has been stepped up to Rs 4,500 crore from the actual expenditure of Rs 1,400 crore in the 9th Plan.