MPs ask govt to monitor quality of seed certification

A group of MPs today asked the government to take steps to monitor quality of seed certification and ensure that farmers get the best hybrid quality seeds.
The issue was raised during the Agriculutre Ministry's consultative committee meeting on National Food Security Mission, headed by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, held here today.
"The Members of Parliament raised their concern about seeds certification quality. MPs suggested the ministry should take the step for strict monitoring of seed certification and ensure farmers to get best hybrid quality seeds," an official statement said.
The Union Minister instructed to the officials to take necessary steps as per the suggestions of the MPs, it added.

Six Lok Sabha MPs -- Chintaman Navsha Wanaga, Rodmal Nagar, G Hari, M B Rajesh, Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre and Tapas Mandal -- and one Rajya Sabha member Chandrapal Singh Yadav were present in the meeting.
In the meeting, the Agriculture Minister said India will be self-sufficient in pulses in next few years as the government is giving top priority to improving crop yields.

To boost pulses output, the government has extended the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) to 638 districts of 29 states, while earlier it was limited to 16 states. That apart, the governmetn is promoting pulses cultivation on rice follow land under Eastern India Green Revolution Programme (BGREI).

For NFSM, a total Rs 1,700 crore has been allocated for this year. Of which, Rs 1,100 crore has been earmarked for pulses programme alone, he said in a statement.
Pulses production was estimated to be little over 17 million tonnes in 2015-16 crop year (July-June), against the demand of 23.5 million tonnes. The gap is met through imports.
In the meeting, the Minister also highlighted steps taken to boost oilseeds and edible oil availability in India.
To reduce the country's dependence on edible oil imports, he said the government is implementing 'National Oilseeds and Oil Taad project.
India imports around 12 million tonnes of edible oil to meet the domestic demand of 23 million tonnes, he added.