Seed Board To Be Set Up As Apex Regulator

The new seed policy approved by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday envisages setting up a national seed board to undertake mandatory registration of all kinds of seeds, even while dispensing with the licensing of seed dealers.

The new policy also proposes to simplify the seed certification procedure by involving private certification agencies as well as allowing self-certification. Besides, it seeks to liberalise export and import of seeds. Transgenic seeds, however, will have to be tested and compulsorily labelled as such.

The Seed Act, 1966, is proposed to be replaced with Seed Act, 2002, to facilitate the implementation of the new seed policy for a faster growth of the private seed industry.

 

The new policy aims at increasing India