(a) whether the Government proposes to set up a National Seed Reserve to ensure that there
is no shortage of seeds in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the seeds agencies have been encouraged to produce seeds and ensure
availability of good quality seeds at a reasonable price;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the details of strategy of the Government to maintain seeds reserve and thereby help
the farmers at large?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (e): The Government of India is already implementing the Seed Bank Scheme
to meet the requirement of seeds during natural calamities and unforeseen conditions,
and also to meet the shortage of seeds, if any, in the country. The scheme is
implemented through State Seeds Corporations, State Governments & the National
seeds producing Public Sector Undertakings viz, National Seeds Corporation of India
(NSC) and State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI). Government provides revolving
fund to the implementing agencies for procurement of raw seeds and reimbursement of
the expenditure incurred on the maintenance of seeds including transportation, grading
and packing, insurance and seed losses during storage. Financial assistance is also
extended for construction of seed storage godowns. The Government of India supports
States/State level agencies by providing assistance for seeds/planting materials under
the following schemes:
i. Macro Management Mode of Agriculture (MMA)
ii. Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM).
iii. Technology Mission on Cotton.
iv. Technology Mission on Jute and Mesta.
v. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
vi. Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure facilities for Production and
Distribution of Quality Seeds.
vii. National Horticulture Mission.(NHM)
viii. Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in North
Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttrakhand.
ix. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
141.39 lakh qtls. Certified/quality seed is available for kharif 2010 against the
requirement of 123.11 lakh qtls. Projected by the States. An overall national surplus of
18.28 lakh quintals.