SIDDARUDH K S

Ph.D scholar

Dpt of seed science & Technology

UAS Bngalore

Salient features of national seed policies &

Role of various sectors in efficient seed marketing

Introduction

• Indian Agriculture has made enormous strides in the past 50 years, raising foodgrains production from 50 million tonnes to over 200 million tonnes.

• Globalization and economic liberalization have opened up new opportunities as well as challenges.

• The seed sector has made impressive progress over the last three decades.

Objectives of the National Seeds Policy

• The provision of an appropriate climate for the seed industry to utilize available and prospective opportunities.

• Safeguarding of the interests of Indian farmers and the conservation of agro-biodiversity

• A regulatory system of a new genre is, therefore, which will encompass quality assurance mechanisms coupled with facilitation of a vibrant and responsible seed industry.

THRUST AREAS• VARIETAL DEVELOPMENT AND PLANT VARIETY VARIETAL

DEVELOPMENT AND PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION. • SEED PRODUCTION. • QUALITY ASSURANCE. • SEED DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING. • INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES. • TRANSGENIC PLANT VARIETIES. • IMPORT OF SEEDS AND PLANTING MATERIAL.• EXPORT OF SEEDS. • PROMOTION OF DOMESTIC SEED INDUSTRY. • STRENGTHENING OF MONITORING SYSTEM.

SEED POLICIES.

• National seed act 1966• Seed control order 1983• New seed policy 1988• The Seeds Bill (2004)• National Seed plan-2005-06.• National Food Security Mission (2007)• Export-Import policy 2002-07• Seed Bank Scheme (2000)• Enactment of the Seeds Act, 1966 • Seed Review Team-SRT (1968)

Seed act 1966

Statutory Bodies and Agencies established in India under the Seeds Act, 19661. Central Seed Committee

2. Central Seed Certification Board

3. State Seed Certification Agencies

4. Central Seed Testing Laboratory

5. State Seed Testing Laboratories

6. Appellate Authority

7. Recognition of Seed Certification Agencies of Foreign Countries

Features of seed act 1966

• Enacted by Parliament for the whole of India to regulate seeds

• Establishing a Central Seed Laboratory as well as State Seed Laboratory to carry out seed analysis of notified variety

• Regulation of sale of seeds of notified varieties by compulsory truthful labeling revealing the true identity of the variety, germination as well as purity

• Appointment of a seed analyst to undertake seed testing.

• Penalty or punishment or both for those who do not comply with the provisions of the act and also prevent seed inspectors from executing his power 

Contd..

• Restriction on import and export of seeds of notified varieties. Any variety imported or exported should meet the minimum limits of seed germination

• Empowerment of seed inspector to draw samples from any seller or a purchaser and verify the quality by sending samples to a seed analyst in the seed testing laboratory

• Power of certification agency to recommend notification of suitable variety and grant of notification certificate provided the seed meets minimum limits of germination and purity

• Forfeiture of property (seeds) belonging to any person convicted under this act due to contravention of the procedures under this act

Seed rule 1968• Central Seed committee describes the act such

as recommendation for Seed Testing fee, advice on the suitability of seed testing laboratory, recommendation for the procedure and standards for seed certification and testing

• Central Seed Laboratory function as coordinating with State Seed Laboratories for uniformity in test results

• Rules for marking or labeling of seed lots indented for certification have been provided in Marketing or Labeling

•  Certification Agency such as-outlining the procedure for submission of applications, growing, harvesting and processing and storage of seeds

Contd..

• Certification agency has the discretion of producing certified seed from certified seed provided that it does not exceed three generation and the genetic purity is not significantly altered.

• Provision for appeal has been provided by submitting a memorandum accompanied by a treasury receipt

Seeds Control Order, 1983• The Seeds Act, 1966 does not have provisions such

as compulsory licensing of theseed dealers, price control, and submission of information about procurement and sale of seed.

• The GOI issued the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to license seed dealersthroughout the country.

• It empowered the State Governments / Union Territories to either compulsorily license all the seed dealers within their jurisdiction or exempt such class of seed dealers,

• No person can sell, export, or import seeds unless he possesses the license to do so or exempted from doing so through official Gazette Notification.

Contd..• The licensed dealers are required to display opening and closing

of different seeds held by them and the price list, on daily basis.

• They are also required to issue cash/credit sale memo, maintain records and faithfully abide by the directives of Controller of Seeds to GOI, if any, regarding distribution of seeds.

• The Joint Secretary (Seed), Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI has been appointed as Controller of Seeds.

• All persons carrying on the business of selling, exporting and importing seeds will be required to carry on the business in accordance with terms and conditions of license granted to him.

• Based on enquiry as it thinks fit, the Licensing Authority may grant or refuse the license under the provisions of the order.

NEW POLICY ON SEED DEVELOPMENT, 1988

• Features • Encouraging seed production on

commercial lines• Advantage of agro climatic zones • Upgradation of planting materials • Provide the best planting materials to

the farmers • Agreement to supply parent line seeds/

breeder seeds/ technology

New Seed policy :- 1988

Objective :-

1)Librize the import of high quality seed includes

Agriculture as well as Horticulture produce.

2)A time bond programme to strengthening the

plant quarantine measure especially for post

entry quarantine. (PEQ)

3) Insentives to encourage the domastic seed

Industries.

4)To encourage the export of seed.

New Policy on Seed Development

After careful consideration of all the related aspects, a New Policy on Seed Development has been evolved with special emphasis on

• The import of high quality seeds: • A time bound-programme to strengthen

/modernise plant quarantine facilities. • Effective observance of procedures for

quarantine/post entry quarantine(PEQ); and • Incentives to encourage the domestic seed industry.

The New Policy for the Import of Seeds and Planting Materials will cover the following categories:

• Seeds of wheat and Paddy• Seeds of coarse cereals, oilseeds and pulses• Seeds of vegetables, flowers and ornamental

plants• Tubers and bulbs of flowers • Cuttings/saplings etc. of flowers• Seeds/Planting materials of fruits.

Plants, Fruits and Seeds Order 1989

• The order was made suppressing the Plants, Fruits and Seeds Order (Regulation of Import into India) 1984 and provides regulations during import based on post entry quarantine checks.

• Import of any form of seed for consumption or sowing should carry a permit issued by the competent authority

• Amendments have been made for the above order during 1998, 2000 and 2001. With the liberalized trade in agriculture,

Contd..• The order has widened the scope of plant

quarantine activities and has made pest risk analysis compulsory for imports

• provision for regulating the import of soil, moss, germplasm and GMO's for research, insects, microbial cultures and bio-control agents

• Import of germplasm has to be permitted by NBPGR and any other biological materials such as soil, microbes, moss etc. has to be permitted by Plant Protection Advisor

• Phytosanitary certificate according to Plant Quarantine requirements has to be provided so as to prevent spread of noxious pests Pest risk analysis during post entry quarantine is compulsory.

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Objectives

1. To establish an effective or Sui generis system for protection of

plant variety for the International recognition of the National

Plant Variety Protection System.

2. Safeguards the interest of plant breeders

3. To recognize and protect farmers’ right for their contribution in

conserving, improving and making available plant genetic

resources for development of new plant varieties

4. Encouragement of investment in Plant Breeding

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001

The Indian PPV & FR Act 2001

Salient features: • It extends to all categories of plants except

micro-organisms.  • In order to be eligible for protection, a variety

must be new, distinct, uniform and stable.

• Provisions are made for compulsory licensing

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General functions of the Authority

•Registration of new plant varieties, EDV and extant varieties

•Developing DUS test guidelines for new plant species

•Developing characterization and documentation of registered

varieties

•Cataloging facilities for all variety of plants particularly tribal

and rural community

•Maintenance of the National Register of Plant Varieties

•Maintenance of National Gene Fund

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National Seed Policy, 2002

• The Seed Act, 1966, seed control order 1983 and New Policy on Seeds Development, 1988, from the basis of promotion and regulation of the Indian Seed Industry

• Seed The “New Policy” of 1988 ushered in a new area of growth and phenomenal development. Because, it allowed limited import of commercial seed, remove curbs on imports of seeds of vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants

The main features of the National Seed Policy, 2002

1. Development of new and improved varieties of plants

2. Timely availability of quality seeds 3. Compulsory registration of seeds 4. Creation of infrastructure facilities 5. Quality assurance, promotion of seed industry, 6. Abolition of licensing for seed dealers, 7. Facility for import of best quality seeds, 8. Encouragement to export of seeds 9. Creation of Seed Banks and National Seed

Grid.9/17/13

The important constraints

• Non existence of National Seed Policy

• IPR laws • Restrictions and licenses on

seed exports and imports • Lack of incentives for the public

and private seed sectors of the country

Thrust Areas

• 1. Varietal Development and PVP • 2. Seed Production • 3. Quality Assurance • 4. Seed Distribution and Marketing. • 5. Infrastructure facilities • 6. Transgenic Plant Varieties • 7. Import of seeds and planting material• 8. Export of seeds• 9. Promotion of domestic seed• 10. Strengthening of monitoring system

Seed bank

Seed Bank Scheme has been implementing by Seed Division from 1999- 2000 with the objective to meet requirement of seeds during natural calamities and unforeseen conditions

Under this component, for maintenance of certified and foundation seeds of identified crops, grants are provided for meeting 50% cost as revolving funds for procurement of seed, maintenance cost and price differential for leftover seeds

Financial assistance is also provided for development of necessary infrastructure for construction of seed storage as well as setting up of a data bank

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Seed Bank Scheme

 • The scheme is for the maintenance of foundation

and certified seeds of different crops to ensure timely availability of seeds to the farmers.

• To take care of the special requirement of seed at the time of natural calamity.

 

• To create infrastructure facilities for production and distribution of quality seeds.

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Challenges (Seed Bank)

• Stored specimens have to be regularly replanted when they begin to lose viability.

• Only a limited part of the world's biodiversity is stored.• It is difficult or impossible to store recalcitrant seeds.• Seed banks carry a cataloguing and data management burden. • Many of the same issues apply to seed banks as with fallout

shelters. With regard to its use as an insurance policy against cataclysmic events.

• Power would have to be sustained after a cataclysmic event in order to keep the seeds at -18 Celsius, which would be very difficult in an apocalyptic scenario unless linked to an automated power plant that uses solar panels, hydroelectricity, or another source of power that doesn't require resupply.

Components covered

(i) Revolving Fund:- 50% of the cost of the seed as revolving fund for procurement of seeds.

(ii) Maintenance charges:- (a)Transportation charges:- Rs. 100 per quintal. (b)Processing and packaging charges:- Rs. 100 per quintal.

(iii) Price differential: - Funds is released to the participating organization on the basis of actual loss incurred by them on this account or 10% of the quantity seeds kept during the year whichever is less.

(iv) Assistance for construction of Seed godown:- Maximum assistance would be available for Rs. 25.00 lakh for a godown of 10000/ quintal capacity.

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Exim Policy 2002-07

• On March 31, 2002, the Government announced a New Export-Import (EXIM) policy for 2002- 2007. Sharply export oriented rather than import liberalizing

• Government control import of non-essential items through the EXIM Policy.

• Exports should be promoted in such, a manner that the economy of the country is not affected by unregulated exports of items specially needed within the country.

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Objective of the Exim Policy 

i. To accelerate the economy from low level of economic activities to high level of economic activities by making it a globally oriented vibrant economy

ii. To stimulate sustained economic growth by providing access to essential raw materials, intermediates, components, consumables

iii. To enhance the technological strength and efficiency of Indian agriculture, industry and services,

iv. To generate new employment.v. Opportunities and encourage the attainment of

internationally accepted standards of quality.vi. To provide quality consumer products at reasonable

prices.

Seeds Bill 2004

• The Seeds Bill, 2004 aims to regulate the quality of seeds sold, and replaces the Seeds Act, 1966

• All varieties of seeds for sale have to be registered. The seeds are required to meet certain prescribed minimum standards.

• The Bill does not restrict the farmer’s right to use or sell his farm seeds and planting material, provided he does not sell them under a brand name. All seeds and planting material sold by farmers will have to conform to the minimum standards applicable to registered seeds

• If a registered variety of seed fails to perform to expected standards, the farmer can claim compensation from the producer or dealer under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

• The Bill permits self certification of seeds by accredited agencies and allows the central government to recognize certification by foreign seed certification agencies

• Every seed producer and dealer, and horticulture nursery has to be registered with the state government

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Issues before Seed Bill

Quality assurance to farmers– spurious seeds– under performing seeds– non-performing seeds

Price Control• Share of seed in the cost of production is

going up

Increasing yields• Productivity• Quality of produce

Seed Bill 2004 ---Salient Features

• Registration of kinds and varieties of Seeds etc.  

• Evaluation of performance. • Compensation to farmers.  

• Registration of seed producer and processing units.  

• Seed dealers to be registered. • Regulation of sale of seed and seed certification.  

• Seed analysis and seed Testing. • Export and Import of seeds and Planting material.

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What is the Current Status?• The Government had introduced the Seeds Bill

in the Rajya Sabha in December 2004. • The Bill was referred to the Parliamentary

Standing Committee on Agriculture, which recommended several modifications to the Bill.

• Accordingly, the Government moved the official amendments to the Seeds Bill 2004 twice.

• The bill has not been introduced in the latest session of the parliament and now (reportedly) keeping in view the widespread concerns over certain provisions in the Seed Bill

National Food Security Mission

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is a Central Scheme of GOI launched in 2007 for 5 years to increase production and productivity of wheat, rice and pulses on a sustainable basis so as to ensure food security of the country. The aim is to bridge the yield gap in respect of these crops through dissemination of improved technologies and farm management practices.http://www.gktoday.in/national-food-security-mission/

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Objectives

• Increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses and coarse cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country;

• Restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level; and

• Enhancing farm level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence amongst the farmers.

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Salient Features:

• The implementation of the NFSM would result in increasing the production of rice by 10 million ton, wheat by 8 million ton and pulses by 2 million ton by 2011-12.

• Restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level. Creation of employment opportunities and enhancing farm level economy

• Beneficiaries can choose to draw loans from the Banks, in which case subsidy amount prescribed for a particular component for which the loan availed will be released to the Banks.

• Promotion and extension of improved technologies i.e., seed, Integrated Nutrient Management including micronutrients, soil amendments, IPM and resource conservation technologies along with capacity building of farmers.

• Farmers and their dependents are eligible for this scheme• Productions of breeder seeds are done under ICAR while certified

seeds and pulses are implemented by State and District agencies.

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BIOSAFETY REGULATION

1. Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RDAC)

2. Review Committee on Genetic Manipulations (RCGM)

3. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)

4. State Biosafety Coordination Committee (SBCC)

5. District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC)

• Ministry of Environment and Forests

• Department of Biotechnology

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee

(GEAC) of India was reconstituted on March 11,

2013

This committee function as a body under the Department of Environment, Forest and Wildlife for approval of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle. The Committee also responsible for approval of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.

Main functions

• To permit the use of GMOs and products thereof for commercial applications.

• To adopt producers for restriction or prohibition, production, sale, import & use of GMOs both for research and applications under EPA.

• To authorize large scale production and release of GMOs and products there of into the environment.

• To authorize agencies or persons to have powers to take punitive actions under the EPA.

SEED MARKETING

• Seed marketing is one of the most vital

components of seed technology.

• On it depends the size and scope of the seed

industry. Broadly it includes such activities as

production, processing, storage, quality control

and marketing of seeds.

• In the narrow sense, however; seed marketing

refers to “the actual acquisition and selling 'of

packed seeds, intermediate storage, delivery

and sales promotional activities”

• In the present context, our discussion is

limited to seed marketing in the narrow sense.

Seed Industry: Details

India – biggest seed market

$920 million, or about Rs.5,000 croresDomestic $900 million, exports $20 million

Open pollinated seed market: around $ 118 million

Vegetable seed sector employment 7 lakhs Local and unidentified varieties (farmer controlled) statistics are not known – probably 30 to 50%

Cntd…

Highest seed market is cotton (80% hybrid): Rs.1870 crores

National Seeds Corporation, 1963

15 State seed corporations

500 private seed companies

National Seed Association of India (NSAI)

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INDIAN SEED INDUSTRY

40% PUBLIC SECTOR

60% PVT SECTOR

75%ORGANISED

25% UNORGANISED

70% SAVED S

EEDS

30% MARKETED S

EEDS

Size=Rs.14000 crore seed industry

Indian Seed Market

Indian Seed Industry

• Seed marketing comprises the following:

1) Demand forecasts (assessment of effective

demand)

2) Marketing structure.

3) Arrangements for storage of seeds.

4) Sales promotional activities.

5) post-sales service.

6) Economics of seed production and seed

pricing.

Business Process

DIS-TRIBU-TION

PACKING

CUSTOMERQUALITY

R&DPROD

PROCESS

TESTING

SALE

USAGE

FEEDBACK

PRIVATE SECTOR

60% involved

in seed trading

20% have R&D, production & marketing

Over 300 Private seed companies

20% in production & marketing

Hybrids of cereals, oil seed, fiber crops and vegetable are major focus

EVOLUTION OF SEED TECHNOLOGY

MASS

SELECTION

GMO SEEDS

HYBRID SEEDS

IMPROVEDVARIETIES

HYBRID SEEDS

W

ITH VALUE

ADDITION

SYNTHETICS

mid 1980s - 1990s

Seed industry boomed as a result of several Govt. initiatives

Foreign direct investment allowed and encouraged

Imports of improved varieties and breeding lines liberalized

Trade regulations liberalized

Current statusThough nascent, yetprivate sector accounts for 70% turnover in seed domestically and is internationally recognised

Due to varied agroclimatic conditions and natural resources, R&D hubs are being created. Almost 1/3 companies have a global technology/ financial partner

Private seed companies are spending 10-12% of their turnover in R&D

R&D budget of medium sized companies is growing @ 20% p.a.

1960s – mid 1980s

Minimal private sector partici-pation

R&D in public domain

Restrictions on germplasm exchange, foreign ownership, etc.

Evolution of the Indian seed industry

Types of Seeds

•Public•Domestic

Private•MNCs

Self Pollinated

Cross Pollinated

HybridsGenetically Modified

Public Sector

Farmers Public sector

In making demand forecasts , the following factors must be considered

carefully :-

(a) Total cultivated acreage, seed rate, quality

replacement period and assessment of total potential

seed requirement of each of the important crops.

(b) Impact of extension efforts on the introduction

of improved production techniques, and future plans

for promotion.

(c) Current acreage under high yielding varieties

and amount of seed sold. in the last year.

Contd..

(d) Cultivator preferences for .varieties,

package size, kind of packing" quality and

price.

(e) Number and size of competitors.

(f) Kinds of publicity and sales promotion

that are most effective.

Marketing Structure :-

(Establishment of effective channel for seed distribution)

• The key to success in seed marketing is the

establishment of effective channel of distribution.

• The various channels through which seed can be

marketed vary greatly according to the needs of

the seed company.

• Present status of seed distribution:

The types of seed distribution systems in India are:

(a) Farmer to farmer distribution. This is the traditional method, where by

farmers obtain their requirements from neighbours either on cash

payment or on an exchange basis. No formal marketing organization is

required for this type of distribution.

(b) Distribution by co-operatives. This involves procurement of seeds by

cooperatives and its subsequent distribution. The distribution of seeds

through cooperatives has often been en couraged by the government

through subsidies and guarantees.

(c) Distribution by Departments of

Agriculture. Seeds are purchased by the government,

out of the government funds, and are distributed through

district Agricultural Officers and Block Development

Officers.

(d) Distribution of seeds by non-government

or quasi-government agencies. In this system, the

seeds are distributed through a network of seed distributors

and seed dealers.

Global Seed Market Split

Cotton 3%

Canola 5%

Vegetables 18%

Corn 32%

Rice 10%

Other 6%

Potato 4% Sunflower 2%

Barley 2%

Sugar Beet 2%

Wheat 4%

Soybean 12%Tomato fresh indet. 11%

Cabbage 7%

Sweet pepper 7%

Lettuce 7%

Watermelon 5 %

Onion 5%

Seed

Vegetable seed

Melon 5 %Chinese cabbage 5 %

Hot pepper 5%Carrot 4%

Tomato fresh set. 3%

Internal assessment

STAKEHOLDERS

Farmers

Public

sector: National

Public

Sector: State

Seed

Farmers

Corporate

Sector: MNCs

Private

sector- domestic

Private Seed Companies :-

A number of private seed company are also

engaged in seed production , research and

development activities 1969 onwards.

• Syngenta India Ltd

• Sutton and son Calculta (WB)

• Bejo Sheetal hybrid seed Jalna (MH)

• Unicorn group Hydrabad.

Contd..

• Namdari seeds Bangalore

• Hinduston Lever Ltd Bombay

• Pioneer Seed company Ltd Hydrabad

• Maharashtra hybrid, seed company Jalna

• Indo-American Hybrid seed Ltd Bangalore

• Nath seeds Aurangabad

 

Private Sector Seed Companies

• Easing of government regulations in the late 1980s spurred enormous development within the seed industry by attracting several foreign seed companies to India.

• Typically they concentrated on hybrids, mainly corn, cotton, sunflower, vegetables, and flowers (more recently on rice),

• The basic reason for the private sector’s focus on these crops is that it involves low production volume and higher margins

• Currently, some 500 hybrids of field crops and vegetables are being marketed, as truthfully labeled seeds, mostly by private seed companies.

• Another factor attracting international seed companies to India is the country’s varied agroclimatic conditions and abundant skilled and unskilled labor,

• Private seed production is largely centered around Bangalore for vegetable crops and Hyderabad for field crops, particularly cottonseeds.

Public Sector Seeds Companies

• Public sector involvement in the seed industry on a national scale began at the beginning of the “green revolution” with the establishment of the National Seed Corporation (NSC) in 1963

• with the responsibility of promoting seed industry development from production through processing, storage and marketing.

• In the initial years of operation, the NSC concerned itself mainly with foundation seed production and with seed certification after the enactment of Seed Act in 1966.

• The State Seed Corporations (SSC) were established later with support from the World Bank, initially in nine states, and later expanded to cover 13 states,

• The role of public sector seed companies is now mostly confined to certified seeds of high volume, low value segment of high yielding varieties of cereals, pulses, and cotton

• The public sector seed companies, however, lag behind in research; they are mostly dependent on public research institutions, under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Marketing organization

• There are a number of possible ways in which a

marketing network could be organised .

• The simplest and most efficient system is to establish a

central marketing cell and regional officcess in end use

areas.

• The retail sale could be organised either by appointing

distributors/dealers such as private dealers.

• Cooperatives, agro-sales service centre's etc., or by

opening seed company/corporation owned sales

points.

• The central marketing cell is responsible for planning,

appointment of dealers/distributors, seed move ment,

marketing intelligence research, pricing, promotional

activities, financing and record keeping.

• The regional offices are responsible for seed supply

and promotional materials to dealers/distributors,

training of seed dealers, expansion into new market

areas, publicity and execution of promotional

programmers.

Promotional Media

(a) Newspapers

(b) Cinema slides

(c) Hoardings

(d) Radio

(e) Melas.

(f) Field demonstrations

Factors affecting seed marketing

• Seed marketing is greatly affected by the

following factors:

1. Clear-cut policy.

2. Availability of well-identified and adapted

varieties.

3. Adequate production.

4. Official programme.

5. Demand forecast.

6. Market intelligence

contd..

7. Transport, and storage arrangements.

8. Nature of product.

9. Quality control programme.

10. Publicity.

11. Financial rewards.

CONCLUSION

• The Government of India trusts that the National Seeds Policy will receive the fullest support of State Governments, State Agricultural Universities, plant breeders, seed producers, the seed industry and all other stakeholders, so that it may serve as a catalyst to meet the objectives of sustainable development of agriculture

• The National Seeds Policy will be a vital instrument in attaining the objectives of doubling food production and making India hunger free.

• It is expected to provide the impetus for a new revolution in Indian agriculture, based on an efficient system for supply of seeds of the best quality to the cultivator.

Contd..

• The National Seeds Policy will lay the foundation for comprehensive reforms in the seed sector.

• Significant changes in the existing legislative framework will be effected accompanied by programmatic interventions.

• The Policy will also provide the parameters for the development of the seed sector in the Tenth and subsequent Plans. The progress of implementation of the Policy will be monitored by a High Level Review Committee.

Thank You