Explain formal and informal seed supply systems in India.

Formal Seed Supply System in India

The formal seed supply system involves the production, processing, certification, and distribution of seeds through registered companies and institutions. This system is governed by stringent quality control measures and regulations.

Key Features

• Seed Act, 1966 & Seed Rules, 1968: These acts provide the legal framework for seed production, sale, and import in India. Amendments in 2004 aimed to strengthen quality control.
• Certification Process: Seeds must be certified by recognized agencies to ensure varietal purity, germination, and freedom from diseases. This process is crucial for maintaining quality.
• Public Sector Companies: Organizations like National Seed Corporation (NSC) and State Seed Corporations were established to produce and distribute seeds, particularly for public distribution.
• Private Sector Participation: The liberalization of the seed sector in the 1990s led to increased private sector involvement, resulting in a wider variety of hybrid and improved seeds.
• Genetic Modified (GM) Seeds: The introduction of Bt cotton in 2003 significantly impacted the seed market, though its regulation remains a contentious issue.

Challenges in the Formal System

• High Cost: Certified seeds are often expensive, making them inaccessible to small and marginal farmers.
• Dependence on Hybrids: Over-reliance on hybrid seeds necessitates repeated purchases, impacting farmer income.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Issues: Strict patent laws on seeds restrict farmer’s rights to save and re-sow seeds.
• Limited Availability of Quality Seeds for Certain Crops: The formal system often focuses on major crops, neglecting the needs of farmers growing traditional or niche varieties.

Informal Seed Supply System in India

The informal seed supply system involves farmers exchanging seeds, saving seeds from previous harvests, and procuring seeds from local sources. It is a traditional and vital component of the Indian agricultural landscape.

Key Features

• Farmer-to-Farmer Exchange: Farmers often share seeds of locally adapted varieties within their communities.
• On-Farm Seed Saving: Farmers save seeds from their own harvests, preserving traditional varieties and adapting them to local conditions.
• Local Seed Banks: Community-based seed banks are emerging as important repositories of traditional seeds and knowledge.
• Reliance on Traditional Varieties: The informal system largely relies on landraces and traditional varieties, which are often more resilient to local stresses.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Informal System

Aspect	Strengths	Weaknesses
Diversity	Maintains genetic diversity and resilience.	Lack of quality control and standardization.
Accessibility	Seeds are readily available and affordable.	Limited availability of improved varieties.
Adaptation	Varieties are adapted to local conditions.	Yields may be lower compared to hybrid varieties.
Knowledge	Farmers possess valuable traditional knowledge about seed selection and preservation.	Lack of formal training and resources.

Interplay between Formal and Informal Systems

The formal and informal seed systems are not mutually exclusive but are interconnected. The informal system often serves as a crucial source of seeds for the formal sector, particularly for collecting landraces and developing new varieties. Conversely, the formal sector can provide improved varieties to farmers who wish to adopt them, but there is a need to integrate traditional knowledge and practices into formal breeding programs.

Schemes & Initiatives

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Provides subsidies for quality seeds and promotes the adoption of improved varieties.
• Paramparik Beej Morcha: Promotes conservation and use of traditional seeds.
• Community-Based Seed Banks (CBSBs): Supported by various NGOs and government agencies to preserve and distribute traditional seeds.

Case Study: Seed Sovereignty Movement in Andhra Pradesh

The Seed Sovereignty Movement in Andhra Pradesh emerged in response to the dominance of multinational seed companies and the decline of traditional seed systems. Farmers organized themselves to collect, preserve, and exchange traditional seeds, asserting their right to save and share seeds. This movement highlights the importance of farmer autonomy and the need to protect traditional knowledge and biodiversity.

India's seed supply system is a complex interplay of formal and informal components, each with its strengths and weaknesses. While the formal system provides access to improved varieties, the informal system safeguards genetic diversity and traditional knowledge. A sustainable and equitable seed sector requires a balanced approach that integrates the strengths of both systems, promotes farmer autonomy, and ensures access to quality seeds for all farmers, regardless of their size or location. Strengthening the informal system through support for community seed banks and recognizing farmer's rights to save and exchange seeds is crucial for ensuring food security and preserving India's agricultural heritage.