Introduction

Introduction

    • Seed certification is a legally sanctioned, scientifically and systematically designed process to secure, maintain, multiply and make available to farmers, seeds of superior plant varieties, so grown to ensure genetic purity, physical quality, high germinability and freedom from pest and diseases.
    • In India, the launching of seed production programmes for hybrids of maize, sorghum and pearl millet is early 1960s sowed the seed for seed industry.
    • National Seeds Corporation (1963) was the first official seed certification agency even before enactment of The Seeds Act. Statutory support for quality control of seed and regulation of growing seed industry was provided by The Seeds Act (1966).
    • The Seed Review Team (1967) critically examined the situation and recommended the formation of the Seed Certification Agency as an autonomous body.
    • An amendment of the Seed Act (1972) provided for the establishment of a Central Seed Certification Board to advice the Governments on matters relating to certification and to co-ordinate the functioning of the State Seed Certification Agencies.
    • The certification agencies are registered as autonomous bodies under the Societies Registration Act. The Seed Certification Agency of Tamil Nadu was established in the year 1979.

Last modified: Thursday, 19 January 2012, 12:17 AM