Lok Sabha Question No. 4490 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-23
Subject: Doorstep Delivery of Seeds
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMER'S WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMER'S WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4490

TO BE ANSWERD ON THE 23 RD  MARCH, 2021

## DOORSTEP DELIVERY OF SEEDS

4490. SHRI  S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN

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

- (a) The steps taken/being taken by the Government with regard to door step delivery of seeds to farmers ; and
- (b) The measures taken /being taken by the Government to assist farmers in every step  from  the  purchase  of  seed  to  sale  of  their  produce,  which  acts  as  a  one-stop destination to address all the needs of farmers across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE & FARMER'S WELFARE

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

- (a): The  States  are primarily responsible to  ensure production, availability  and distribution/ supply of quality seeds to the farmers through its Department of Agriculture, state farms, State Seeds Corporation, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Cooperatives and Private Seed Companies etc.   The Government of India supplements the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments  by  providing  breeder  seeds  for  seed  chain  and coordinating seeds requirement and availability through the mechanism of Zonal Seeds Review Meetings prior to each sowing season and weekly video conferences.

As reported by States, 483.66 lakh qtls. of certified / quality seed is available against the requirement 443.16 lakh qtls. during current year 2020-21.

- (b): The  steps  taken/being  taken  for  making  available  quality  seeds  to  the farmers are as under:
- i. The  Government  of  India  is  providing  financial  assistance  for  production  and distribution  of  seeds  of  High  Yielding  Varieties  (HYVs)  of  different  crops  to  the States  and  implementing  agencies  through  various  ongoing  crop  development programmes/  schemes  viz.  National  Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM),  Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Sub-Mission on Seeds & Planting Material (SMSP) etc.

- ii. The  states  are  encouraged  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  Cooperation  & Farmers' Welfare (DAC&FW) to develop a Seed Rolling Plan in advance as per the  estimated  requirement  of  seeds  in  their  state,  so  that  the  seeds  of  required variety  could  be  made  available  at  right  time  to  the  farmers.  DAC&FW  also ensures fixation of uniform breeder seeds price in consultation with Indian Council of  Agricultural Research (ICAR) for minimization of foundation and certified seed costs.
- iii. Indian  Institute  of  Seed  Science,  ICAR  is  also  coordinating  the  production  of quality seed in the country through the network of 63 cooperating centres under National Seed Project of ICAR. Single window system for effective planning and implementation of seed production programme and computerized seed sale outlets has been established to guarantee ease in accessibility of quality seeds to farmers at all centres.
- iv. In  some  states  quality  seed  is  being  made  available  at  every  village  within  the reach  of  farmers  and  farmer  is  facilitated  to  purchase  seed  of  choice  from  the desired outlets. Similarly, procurements centres at villages have been established to  facilitate  procurement  by  the  marketing  department.  Moreover,  some  states have well established mandis and generally the seed dealers and other agri-input dealers also have shops in these mandis avoiding involvement of middlemen .

*****