Seed certification is a program of planned production, records, unbiased inspections, and rigid standards conducted with the cooperation and leadership of personnel at NC State University and NC Department of Agriculture. The program includes seed or other plant propagules of more than 15 crops. Whether by traditional means or with the use of genetic engineering techniques, plant breeders continue to produce superior new crop varieties. Certified Seed Chain New varieties developed by plant breeders must be increased so that farmers can use them in their farming operations. Older varieties must also be kept pure.
Certification offers a program of planned production whereby desirable genetic purity is maintained.
This series of seed increase and variety maintenance is called the Certified Seed Chain.