National Seed Policy
The Seed Act, 1966, seed control order 1983 and New Policy on Seeds Development, 1988, from the basis of promotion and regulation of the Indian Seed Industry.
The “New Seed Policy” of 1988 ushered in a new area of growth and phenomenal development. Because, it allowed limited import of commercial seed, remove curbs on imports of seeds of vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants and even allowed import of seed of course cereals, pulses and oilseeds for a period of two years.
The important constraints were
• Non existence of National Seed Policy
• IPR laws
• Restrictions and licenses on seed exports and imports
• Lack of incentives for the public and private seed sectors of the country
India later developed the National Seed Policy in 2002. The main objectives are the provision of an appropriate climate for the seed industry to utilize available and prospective opportunities, safe guarding of the interests of Indian farmers and the conservation of agro-biodiversity.
- Thrust Areas Varietal Development and PVP
- Seed Production
- Quality Assurance
- Seed Distribution and Marketing.
- Infrastructure facilities
- Transgenic Plant Varieties
- Import of seeds and planting material
- Export of seeds
- Promotion of Domestic Seed
- Strengthening of monitoring system
Varietal Development and PVP
To stimulate investment in research and development (R&D) new varieties an effective sui generic system for IPR will be implemented.
Seed Production
India seed programme will adheres to generation system of multiplication namely nucleus, breeder, foundation and certified seed. Public seed sector will be restructured and will continue to have free access to breeder seed, while Private Seed Sector will have conditional access. Seed village scheme will be facilitated to upgrade the quality of farmers saved seeds.
Quality Assurance
- New Seed Act will be enacted.
- National Seed Board will be established as apex body in place of existing Central Seed Committee to implement New Seed Act.
- National Seeds Register will be maintained varieties will be registered based on “Value for Cultivation and Usage”. (VCU).
Seed Distribution and Marketing