Seed Production of Vegetable, Tuber and Spice Crops (2+1)

New seed policy (1988)

• The Government of India evolved a New seed policy implemented from October 1,1988.
• The policy laid special emphasis on
• Import of high quality of seeds
• A time bound programme to modernize plant quarantine facilities
• Effective implementation of procedures for quarantine /post entry quarantine
• Incentives to encourage the domestic industry
• Import of quality seeds.
1. Bulk import of seeds of coarse cereals, pulses and oil seeds may replace (or) displace the local productions.
2. Transfer of technology may not be actual one, because due to bulk import of seeds or import of technology, instead we can import the germplasm of superior variety if any and could be developed locally to meet the demand (i.e.,) incorporate the advantages of exotic variety to the local types(or) even direct multiplication's after adaptive trials.
3. As we have superior varieties of international standard (e.g.) Maize, Sorghum, Bajra, or even in oil seeds like groundnut etc., the bulk import is not necessiated. Instead we need varieties suitable to agroclimatic zones besides higher yields.
4. Import of flower seeds could be encouraged in order to earn foreign exchange through export of flowers and it can be imported under (OGL) open general license. But there is a fear of introduction of new pest and diseases as they are coming without post entry quarantine checkup.
Strengthening of quarantine

• Since, 1st October 1988 only bulk imports of seeds were under taken without any progress either in the strengthening of quarantine facilities.
Threat of pest and disease

• Introduction of new pest and disease would pose a new problem due to bulk import due to lack of post entry quarantine. To avoid this threat, the imported seeds should be subjected to testing and it should be done by one person from ICAR. Entry of exotic variety without proper field testing may change the disease pattern if that particular strain is becoming susceptible to existing pathogens.
(e.g.) Kernal bunt - which was not noticed in the previous years, is now a major disease on wheat after the introduction of Kalyansona.

Genetic erosion

• It is another danger, due to introduction of similar strains there is a danger of genetic uniformity and eliminates local diversified strains which leads to problem of non-availability of improved strains if there is any out break of disease.
Incentives to domestic seed industry

• Indigenous seed production / seed industry will be affected because of the entry of multi nation diseases. Since the policy is allowing indiscriminate bulk imports through private sectors at the same time the import duty on seeds has been reduced to 15 per cent. Import duty on advanced machines and equipment used in seed production or processing has also been reduced and interest on post shipment credit has also been slashed down to help importers. Income tax rebate and deduction are available to the tax paying units on the revenue expenditure or in house research and development. Incentives are also being provided to seeds located in backward areas and growth centres.
Application of biotechnology in agriculture

• The multination would prevent the III world countries in enjoying the full benefit of biotechnology.
• The bulk import of seed indicates accepting the monopoly rights and the limitation of potential bio-technology in agriculture.
Advantages of biotechnology in agriculture

• Certain plants fertilize themselves through nitrogen fixation, which is one of the most promising areas of genetic engineering. Bacterium on the roots of plants like groundnut and soybean take nitrogen from the air and transform it into nitrates.
  
• Scientists are studying the possibility of transforming the genes responsible for nitrogen fixation in wheat, rice, and maize (in which nitrogen fixation doses not occur).
  
• They feel new strains can be grown without expensive chemical fertilizers.