Lok Sabha Question No. 5119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Seed Production Facilities
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5119

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018

## SEED PRODUCTION FACILITIES

## 5119.  SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the current seed production facilities are appropriate for tackling the requirement of farmers in the country, if so, the details thereof for the current year and the last three years;
- (b) whether  the  Government  propose  to  reduce  the  seed  prices  for  the  upcoming  Kharif season, if so, the details thereof along with any recommendations made by the seed industry representatives thereon;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  for  encouragement  of  more  seed production  inline  with  the  Government's  agenda  of  doubling  farm  income  by  2022,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to increase the production of seeds through organic, hybrid and bioponic methods during the current year and the previous three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): Yes,  Madam.  The  current  seed  production  facilities  are  appropriate  for  tackling  the requirement of farmers in the country. The details for last three years and current year are as under :

## Quantity in Lakh Quintals

| Year    |   Requirement |   Production/ Availability |
|---------|---------------|----------------------------|
| 2014-15 |        343.56 |                     351.77 |
| 2015-16 |        337.09 |                     343.52 |
| 2016-17 |        353.49 |                     380.29 |
| 2017-18 |        371.38 |                     419.41 |

(b): The seed price is controlled by the market forces. The Government do not control the price of seeds except Bt. Cotton seeds.  As per the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order, 2015, maximum sale price of BG II version of Bt. Cotton seeds of 450 gram packet plus 120 gram at refugia is Rs.800 in 2016-17 and in 2018-19, it is further reduced to Rs.748 per packet of 450 gram of BG II cotton seeds plus 120 gram of refugia.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam.  The  Government is encouraging more seed production inline with the Government's  agenda of doubling farm income by supporting through various schemes as under  :

| Sub-Mission on Seeds & Planting Material components                                          |   Funds Released during 2017-18 (Rs. in crores) |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| Seed Village Programme                                                                       |                                          141.29 |
| Creation of Seed Processing & Storage Infrastructure Facilities in Public Sector             |                                           13.77 |
| Creation of Seed Processing & Storage Infrastructure Facilities in Private Sector            |                                            7.33 |
| Establishment of Seed Processing & Storage Infrastructure Facilities at Gram Panchayat level |                                          180    |

(e): The Government is providing financial assistance to farmers  for introduction of cropping system, organic seed procurement or raising organic nursery @Rs.500/acre/year for 50 acres through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana for promotion of organic farming.   From the year 2015-16 to  current  year  2017-18  an  amount  of  Rs.89.1825  crore  have  been  released  to  the States.

For  increasing  the  production of  hybrid seeds assistance are provided under National Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM),  Bringing  Green  Revolution  in  Eastern  India  (BGREI)  and National  Mission  on  Oilseed  &  Oilpalm  (NMOOP  )  and the details of hybrid  seed  production during the last three years and current year are as under:

## Quantity in Lakh Quintals

| Year    |   Production/Availability |
|---------|---------------------------|
| 2014-15 |                     20.35 |
| 2015-16 |                     25.91 |
| 2016-17 |                     22.36 |
| 2017-18 |                     26.42 |

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