(a) whether the Government is importing seeds of different agro products
to improve the yields;
(b) if so, whether the Government has any observation system to evaluate
the quality of such seeds; and
(c) if so, the details of seeds import and the testing procedures therefor?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) to (c): Under the New Policy on Seed Development read with Plant Quarantine
(Regulation of import into India) Order, 2003, the Government is facilitating
the import of quality seeds and planting materials into the country with a view
to improve productivity.
The Government has put in place an observation system for the evaluation of quality
of such seeds. Initially, a small quantity of seed is permitted to be imported for
in-house trials by the importer. Subsequently,multi-locational testing is carried
out under the All-India Coordinated Trials by the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) before large scale import is permitted. If the performance of the
variety is found to be satisfactory in the multi-locational trials, the importer can
import the seeds in bulk for a period of two years only. During this period, the
importer must make arrangements for commercial multiplication in India through transfer
of parental lines or breeder seed and seed production technology.
In respect of planting material, permission is granted on a case-to-case basis on the
recommendation of the State Director of Horticulture/Agriculture, subject to post entry
quarantine and such regulations as may be laid down by the Plant Protection Adviser,
Government of India. In case of vegetable seed, free import is permitted subject to
quarantine regulations.
The details of the recommendations by the Export and Import (EXIM) Committee of Department
of Agriculture and Cooperation for import of seeds and planting material is at Annexure.