Lok Sabha Question No. 4401 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-28
Subject: R and D in Seed Sector
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Jual Oram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4401

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  MARCH, 2023

## R&D IN SEED SECTOR

## 4401.  SHRI JUAL ORAM:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

(a) the manner in which special incentives are being extended to private sector entities engaged in agriculture research;

(b) the details of the efforts being made by the Government to encourage research & innovations in the seed sector; and

(c) the details of the efforts being made by the Government to make sure that farmers receive good quality seeds?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) makes available the breeder seed of public sector bred varieties of different crops to the Private Sector as per their indents for downstream multiplication of foundation and certified seed. Private Sector bred  varieties  of  different  crops  are  tested  under  All  India  Coordinated  Research Projects (AICRPs) and around 13% of varieties released and notified since 2014 are from private sector. Public sector licenses the various high yielding trait specific new varieties/ hybrids to private sector for their seed production and marketing. Further, the various technologies and varieties/hybrids developed by Private sector are tested by the ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural University for their performance before recommendation by the state department of agriculture. The trait specific germplasm indented by the private sector for development of varieties/hybrids is shared by ICAR as per extant guidelines of Govt. of India and import of germplasm is also facilitated.

(b) and (c) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its 57 Institutes and 40 All India Coordinated Research Projects/ All India Network Projects operating in  45  State/Central  Agricultural  Universities  (SAU/CAU)  promotes  research  and innovations in seed sector. National Agricultural Research System under the aegis of ICAR has released 2681 high yielding/ stress tolerant varieties/ hybrids of field (2279) and horticultural  crops  (402)  for  different  agro-climatic  conditions  during  past  nine years.

AICRP on Seed (Crops), ICAR coordinates quality seed production including breeder seed and development of region-specific technologies to address seed technological

issues of various stakeholders through network of 65 centres across 27 state/Union Territories in the country. Government through the schemes like Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP), Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and National Food Security Mission (NFSM) support the farmers by supplying quality seed through Front Line Demonstrations (FLD), Cluster Front Line Demonstrations (CFLD) and Mini-Kits. Seed production programs are also supported by providing infrastructure support by the Govt. Under NFSM, total 208 seed hubs for pulses, oilseeds and millets have been established  in  various  ICAR  Institutes,  SAUs/CAUs  and  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendra  for ensuring sufficient availability of quality seed to the farmers.

During last three years, 333707.5 quintals of breeder seed of more than 1400 varieties has been produced against the indent of 243951.4 quintals in field crops. As reported by the states, the availability of certified/quality seed in the country during 2020-21 was 483.66 lakh q as against requirement of 443.16 lakh q, whereas during 2021-22 and  2022-23,  availability  was  498.83  lakh  q  and  514.28  lakh  q  as  against requirements of 465.36 lakh q and 464.15 lakh q, respectively.

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