Role/ Responsibility

The prospects of large scale hybrid seed production and distribution appears to be excellent. India already has the distinction of being the first in developing and exploiting hybrids in crops like pearlmillet, cotton, castor and pigeonpea. Besides, hybrids in maize, sorghum, sunflower and a good number of vegetables and other horticultural crops are currently available varieties. Even in the crops like rice the prospects of hybrid rice has opened up new vistas. In the years to come one would expect much larger coverage under hybrid varieties.

The establishment of National Seeds Corporation in 1963, and subsequently the State Seed Corporations, availability of High Yielding Varieties and hybrids, however have brought a change. As a result a large number of private seed companies, many with foreign collaboration have come into being, which are now engaged in the scientific seed production. Many of these companies have dominated the hybrid seeds market, and are also exporting seeds. Public Sector has largely concentrated on agricultural crops, mainly cereals. Much of the seeds of hybrid varieties and vegetables is produced and distributed by the Private Sector.

Bright future awaits the Indian Seed Industry. The scope for growth to cater domestic market is enormous. A strong R&D backup is already available with the public sector. Availability of relatively less expensive agricultural labour is another advantage, which can contribute to the growth of the seed industry.

Government of India introduced a New Policy on Seed Development in 1988 with objective of making the best planting material available anywhere in the world to Indian farmers for increased productivity and production it provides for liberal imports to achieve this objective as well as to encourage the growth of the export in seeds. It provides a significant boost to Indian agriculture.

To meet the growing competition, domestic companies/corporations will have to use modern processing technology with enhanced management skills to cut down processing cost. Seed growers shall have to be trained in cost-reducing methods of growing quality seed material. Adequate safeguards will have to be practised to ensure the import of disease-free seed. The future of seed industry is bright. By the year 2000 A.D the estimated quality seed requirement is 12.655 lakh metric tonnes, which is almost double of 1992-93. Thus there is ample scope for expansion.

Ag.
Technologies
(Seeds)