The State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have informed of some complaints regarding supply of fake and sub-standard quality seeds at a few places. The State Governments have further reported that they have taken appropriate action in these cases under the existing laws. The action taken includes suspension of the seed dealer license of the concerned firms, banning of the sale of seeds and imposition of penalties including levy of compensation, refund of cost of seeds etc. However, it is difficult to assess the impact of such sporadic cases on agriculture production in the country.
The quality of Seeds supplied to the farmers is ensured through the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 under which State Governments have been empowered to appoint seed inspectors, establish Seed Testing Laboratories and take appropriate measures to curb the sale of fake and sub-standard quality seeds in the country. In addition, for ensuring supply of quality seeds to the farmers, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is implementing a Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material under National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology, under which assistance is provided for strengthening and modernizing seed infrastructure facilities, upgrading the quality of farm saved seed through seed village programme, production and distribution of quality seeds, establishing Seed Bank for ensuring seed availability in contingent situation, establishing and strengthening quality control infrastructure facilities in the country, etc.
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
GG:CP : supply (lok) 25.11.2014
The quality of Seeds supplied to the farmers is ensured through the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 under which State Governments have been empowered to appoint seed inspectors, establish Seed Testing Laboratories and take appropriate measures to curb the sale of fake and sub-standard quality seeds in the country. In addition, for ensuring supply of quality seeds to the farmers, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is implementing a Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material under National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology, under which assistance is provided for strengthening and modernizing seed infrastructure facilities, upgrading the quality of farm saved seed through seed village programme, production and distribution of quality seeds, establishing Seed Bank for ensuring seed availability in contingent situation, establishing and strengthening quality control infrastructure facilities in the country, etc.
This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
GG:CP : supply (lok) 25.11.2014
