(a) the total number of National Seed Research and Training Centres at present, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to open new training centres in various States,
particularly in tribal and hilly regions; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)to(c): The Government of India has established the National Seed Research & Training
Centre at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It has been notified as Central Seed Testing Laboratory
under sub-section(1) of Section 4 of the Seeds Act, 1966 for seeds other than Bt. Cotton seeds
to carry out the functions prescribed under the Seeds Act, 1966. The National Seed Research
& Training Centre also undertakes training in seed quality and seed testing. The laboratory
of the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur has also been notified as the
Central Seed Laboratory for ascertaining the presence or absence of Cry.1 AC gene in cotton
seeds and to act as referral laboratory for Bt. Cotton seeds.
There is no proposal to set up new training Centres. However, the States have been
provided with financial assistance to strengthen seed quality regulation infrastructure.