Q. In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation?

  1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
  2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
  3. There is a demand­supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  • 1 and 2
  • 3 only
  • 2 and 3
  • None

Answer: (b) 3 only

Notes:

  • There is a National Seed Policy 2002.
  • The private sector seed companies supply quality seeds of vegetables but in a small volume.
  • The private sector is the majority supplier of hybrid vegetable seeds.
  • There is a demand-supply gap recording quality of seeds in case of low value and high volume crops such as wheat and rice.  
  • Farmers prefer to use their own preserve seeds due to the high demand and supply gap.
  • The seed replacement rate is a measure of how much of the total cropped area was sown with certified seeds in comparison to farm-saved seeds.
  • Seed replacement rate denotes better utilization of certified quality seeds which results in better productivity. 
National Seed Policy 2002
  • Prior to the National Seed Policy 2002, the Government of India had adopted a “New Policy on Seed Development” in 1988 to remove the roadblocks in import of horticultural seeds and to allow import of limited quantity of seeds of course cereals, pulses and oilseeds. However, this policy was flawed due to nonexistence of IPR laws and several restrictions on import and exports.
  • Thus, the National Seed Policy 2002 was launched to – provide intellectual property protection to new varieties; usher this sector into planned development; protect the interest of farmers and encourage conservation of agro-biodiversity.
  • This policy had 10 thrust areas as follows:
    1. Varietal Development and Plant Varieties Protection
    2. Seed Production
    3. Quality Assurance
    4. Seed Distribution and Marketing.
    5. Infrastructure facilities
    6. Transgenic Plant Varieties
    7. Import of seeds and planting material
    8. Export of seeds
    9. Promotion of Domestic Seed
    10. Strengthening of monitoring system
  • These initiatives will encourage investment in research and development, thereby ensuring availability of high yielding varieties of seeds which will lead to higher production and improving the economic condition of the farmers in the country.
  • The key initiatives announced in this policy are as follows:
    • A Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Protection (PVP) Authority will be established which will undertake registration of extant and new plant varieties through the Plant Varieties. Registry on the basis of varietal characteristics.
    • A National Gene Fund will be established for implementation ofthe benefit sharing arrangement, and payment of compensation to village communities for their contribution to the development and conservation of plant genetic resources and also to promote conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. Suitable systems will be worked out to identify the contributions from traditional knowledge and heritage.
    • Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Crops will be permitted to be accessed by Research Organisations and Seed Companies from public collections as per the provisions of the ‘Material Transfer Agreement’ of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources and the Biological Diversity Bill.
    • The National Seeds Board (NSB) will be established in place of existing Central Seed Committee and Central Seed Certification Board. The NSB will have permanent existence with the responsibility of executing and implementing the provisions of the Seeds Act and advising the Government on all matters relating to seed planning and development. The NSB will function as the apex body in the seed sector.