AgriNation Network

New Delhi | 15 Feb 2017

Addressing the inaugural function of Indian Seed Congress 2017 in Kolkata on 13th Feb 2017, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh said India has great potentiality to produce hybrid seeds especially costly vegetable seeds on cheap rates compared to the seeds of other countries. Apart from vegetables, the hybrid seeds of maize, paddy, pearl millet and cotton may be exported to SEI and African countries in magnitude. He added that Indian Seed Market is growing fast and during the recent past, hybrid seed market of vegetables and cereals has shown remarkable growth. He added that Indian Seed Industry can emerge as a prominent industry for supplying seeds in international markets.

Minister said that the availability of certified quality seeds has improved owing to strategic measures taken by the government. The availability of certified quality seeds in the country has increased from less than 40 lakh quintal during decade of 60 to 370 lakh quintal in 2015-16. Shri Singh further said that the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare has asked the State Governments to prepare variety wise seed rolling plants to meet year wise, season wise requirements of quality seeds. This seed rolling plant will fulfil the double purpose of improving the Seed replacement rate along with Variety replacement rate so that sustainable agricultural production and productivity could be ensured.

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