Lok Sabha Question No. 1576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Indian Market for Seeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shantanu Thakur, Gitaben Vajesingbhai Rathva, John Barla, Pradeep Kumar Singh

O.I.H.

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1576

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INDIAN MARKET FOR SEEDS

1576      SHRI  SHANTANU  THAKUR:  SHRIMATI  RATHVA  GITABEN  VAJESINGBHAI: SHRI JOHN BARLA: SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  Indian  farmers  are  unable  to  get  financial  benefits  from  the  Indian  seed market despite its emergence as the fifth largest seed market in the world;
- (b) if so, the efforts being made by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the manner in which the Government is likely to reduce the increase in cost incurred on procurement of seeds for every crop cycle;
- (d) whether barring these, shortage of authentic and quality seeds is also problem;
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  steps  in  this  regard  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (f) whether  the  lack  of  availability  of  fodder  seeds  is  an  area  of  concern  for  the  dairy sector; and
- (g) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) & (b): Indian Seed market is a big market which produces sufficient seeds for farmers. ICAR has developed more than thousand new varieties of agricultural and horticultural crops in  last  5  years,  which  have  resistance  against  insect  and  pest,  salinity,  flood,  drought  and other biotic/abiotic factors for enhancing income of farmers.

….contd..2/-

(c):      Government  provides  financial  assistance  for  production,  distribution  and  other  seed related activities which are available/provided through various crop developments programs/schemes viz. National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY),  Sub-Mission  on  Seeds  and  Planting  Material  (SMSP)  etc.  to  reduce  the  cost  of seeds.

(d) & (e):  Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India in consultation with the State Department of Agriculture develop seed rolling plant for ensuring availability of quality seeds.

Government of India also provides financial assistance through various schemes to enhance the production and distribution of seeds of high yielding varieties to the farmers. As such, there is no shortage of quality seeds.

(f) & (g):  Yes, Sir, the Government is already  implementing National Livestock Mission with a Sub Mission on feed and fodder development, wherein financial assistance is provided to the  State  Governments/UTs  for  production,  procurement  and  distribution  of  quality  fodder seeds.

Sincere efforts are also being taken to strengthen the fodder seed production chain, wherein Government is regularly receiving indents for the Breeder seeds of fodders crops, which further multiplied in to foundation and certified seed for distribution to the farmers.

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