Odisha signs tripartite agreement to produce quality seeds

In its bid to make Odisha self sufficient in pulses and oilseeds production, the State Seed Corporation has signed a tripartite agreement with the National Seed Corporation and International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat).
Both the National Seeds Corporation and ICRISAT would produce pulses and oilseeds for three years in Odisha and the State Seeds Corporation would purchase those seeds and supply them to farmers at cheap rates, state Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy told reporters today.
The Minister said the quality seeds could result in a 20 per cent increase in production.
The seed replacement ratio in respect of pulses and oilseeds in the state was less than four per cent last year, he said, adding that there was a demand of Arhar, Green Gram, Black Gram and Groundnut to the tune of 1,101, 14,800, 16,480 and 50,000 quintals, respectively this year.

The maximum production of these pulses was expected from both corporations was 300, 5,000 and 20,000 quintals, respectively.