Make a roadmap for seed supply to farmers: Tomar

New Delhi

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar presided over a national webinar on "Seed Chain Development" held here on May 24 as part of the year-long Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

Tomar said the State Governments, in consultation with the Central Government, should prepare a roadmap for 10-15 years for the benefit of farmers. He said that it should be ensured that the farmers get a timely supply of good-quality seeds. State governments should strictly curb black marketing and those selling fake seeds.

We all know the importance of seeds, said Tomar. If the seed is good, then the produce will be good, whether it be individuals or the seeds for cultivation. The availability of good seeds for farming increases production and productivity, resulting in higher income for farmers and raising the share of agriculture in GDP besides benefiting our agriculture and the nation’s economy.

Tomar said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Government’s effort is that the bulwark of agriculture becomes the secure foundation of the country. Together we have to fulfil the remaining task.”

The entire seed chain should be properly streamlined so that farmers do not face any problems, said Tomar. Besides, crops whose seeds are in short supply in particular areas should be provided with those seeds so that productivity can be increased. Planning should be done for an adequate supply of seeds for crops like pulses, oilseeds, cotton etc.

Tomar said that the cooperation of the State Governments was also necessary for seed traceability so that awareness was raised among farmers across the country and they could make the right decisions regarding the seeds for their plantation as per the requirement.

“Prime Minister Shri Modi's emphasis is also on increasing productivity in agriculture as well as reducing the cost. We have to plan how farmers can get quality seeds at a cheaper price and the price difference between private and government agencies is bridged,” said Tomar. “On the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav of the nation’s Independence, everyone needs to introspect. If our country becomes AatmaNirbhar in seed availability, then only will we be able to supply to other countries in large quantities.”

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje said it should be ensured that the varieties of seeds developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) reach the farmers at the grassroots level. Along with this, the states should work in a planned manner at the district level on all aspects related to the agriculture sector so that the farmers do not face any problems.

Addressing the webinar, Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said that arrangements should be made to provide quality seeds to the farmers right down to the Panchayat level, while awareness should be raised among the farmers about testing of seed quality.

Additional Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi and other senior officers were present during the programme. Senior officials of the Agriculture Department of the states and the representatives of the Seed Corporations of the Centre and the States joined the webinar virtually.

The webinar was conducted by Ashwini Kumar, Joint Secretary (Seeds). He informed that the government was working for setting up seed testing laboratories at the Panchayat level.