Question : Availability of Certified Quality Seeds

(a) the details of the estimated demand and supply of seeds in the country including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu;
(b) whether the Government has reviewed the adequacy of research support for the development of seeds and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has launched any scheme to provide seeds at lower prices to farmers living below poverty line in the country including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof;
(d) the number of farmers benefitted from the scheme during the last three years;
(e) whether the Government has utilized the services of Non-Governmental Organisations to provide seeds to farmers and if so, the details of such organisations; and
(f) whether the Government has fixed any time period for these organisations to execute the task and if so, details thereof?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.





STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (f) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 263 FOR 22ND MARCH, 2022 REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED QUALITY SEEDS.

(a): Government of India coordinates with the States in meeting their seed requirement and availability through the mechanism of biannual Zonal Seeds Review Meetings and National Conference on Agriculture prior to each sowing season. For future seed planning, Government of India ask States/UTs to prepare Seed Rolling Plan to ensure availability of seeds in future also. As reported by the States, the details of the demand and the supply of certified/quality seed in the country (including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) isas under:
(Quantity in Lakh Quintals)
Year Requirement Availability
2019-20 387.31 431.01
2020-21 443.16 483.66
2021-22 465.36 498.83

(b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is carrying various research programmes including 25 All-India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) and All-India Network Projects (AINPs) and seven other projects through their 732 centers located in 65 ICAR-Institutes, 3 Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), 48 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and 726 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). These programmes are reviewed annually through the Annual Group Meetings. The varietal and other technology development programme of the ICAR-Institutes is reviewed by the Research Advisory Committee, and Quinquennial Review Team. Through Breeder Seed Review Meetings, regular review is being done for promotion of new high yieldingvarieties. A total 1956 high yielding, stress-tolerant crop varieties of field crops which include 924 varieties of cereals (rice 442, wheat 127), 291 varietiesof oilseeds, 304 varietiesof pulses, 239 varietiesof fiber/commercial crops, 118 varietiesof forage crops, 64 varietiesof sugarcane and 16 varietiesof other crops for different agro-climatic zones of the country (in which more than 1600 varieties are climate resilience) were release since 2014 onwards.
(c): Government of India provides financial assistanceto different State governments and UTs(including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu)for production, distribution of seeds and for other interventions related to seed sector through various schemes viz. Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials (SMSP), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for small and marginal farmers of the country. The pattern of assistance for seed production, distribution and other related activities under theseschemes of DA&FW isplaced at Annexure-I.
(d): The details of farmers benefitted under Seed Village Programme component of Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials (SMSP) scheme is as under:
Financial Year No. of farmers benefitted (in lakhs)
2018-19 34.69
2019-20 32.20
2020-21 36.44

(e) & (f): Government of India provides assistance to different State governments and UTsunder various schemes, which furtherdistribute it to small and marginal farmers.