National level multi-state seed coop mooted to plant seeds of prosperity

The Government will soon set up a national level multi-state seed cooperative society which will act as an apex organization for production, procurement, processing, branding, labelling, packaging, storage, marketing and distribution of quality seeds.

It will also help to increase the seed replacement rate, varietal replacement rate, ensuring the role of farmers in quality seed cultivation and seed variety trials, production and distribution of certified seeds with a single brand name, by utilizing the network of all levels of cooperatives.

The move comes in the wake of the recent Cabinet decision that approved setting up of  a national level multi-State cooperative society for seeds to act as an apex organization for production, procurement, processing, branding, packaging, storage, marketing & distribution of quality seeds, etc; strategic research & development; and to develop a system for  preservation and promotion of indigenous natural seeds; through various cooperative societies across the country with support from relevant ministries through their schemes and agencies following ‘Whole of Government approach’.

Increasing the productivity per unit of cultivated land in India to increase agriculture production, help farmers in production, procurement, branding, packaging and selling of quality seeds and  to increase the capacity of cooperative societies will be its major task.

Besides, it will incorporate all types of cooperative structures to ensure cultivation of quality seeds and increasing role of farmers in seed variety testing, production and distribution of certified seeds.

Last but not the least; Multi State Cooperative Seed Society will help develop a system for conservation and promotion of indigenous natural seeds as well as help in new research and development.

The country’s three leading cooperatives, including IFFCO, KRIBHCO and NAFED alogn with NDDB and NCDC have come forward to jointly help set up the multi-state cooperative society for seeds with an authorized share capital of  ₹500 crore.

It is expected that 29 crore members of 8.54 lakh cooperative societies who are largely from the farming communities, marginalised and lower income groups in the rural areas are likely to join the new society.

According to various reports, the direct contribution of quality seeds to production in India is about 15-20% which can be increased up to 45% with efficient management of other inputs.

It is felt that if farmers get high quality seeds through Multi State Cooperative Seed Society, then agricultural productivity will also improve while processing, buying and selling of quality seeds will help generate additional employment in these sectors, thus boosting rural economy, promoting "Make in India" and leading to Atmanirbhar Bharat.