(a) whether the Government are aware that scientists and researchers of Gujarat Agricultural University have developed high yielding hybrid seeds of castor oil namely GCH5 and GCH6; and
(b) if so the steps taken by the Government to provide these seeds to farmers?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) Yes, Madam. The scientists of Gujarat Agricultural University have developed hybrids of
castor viz. GCH5 and GCH 6. These hybrids have been released by Central Sub- Committee on Crop
Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties during 1996 and 1999 respectively.
(b) The Breeder seed production of these two hybrids has been taken up by the ICAR. The
breeder seed, in turn, is supplied to seed producing agencies for further multiplication. In
the last two years 2085 quintal certified seed of castor hybrid GCH 5 has been made available to
farmers. The production of breeder, foundation and certified seed of GCH 6, a relatively, new
hybrid has also been taken up by Government. As a result of adoption of these and other hybrids
of castor, the production of castor of the country has gone up from 7.2 lakh tonne in 1990 to
10 lakh tonne in 2000.