Describe the Indian Seeds Act, 1966. Also discuss the essential activities required for the success of seed industry in India.

The Indian Seeds Act, 1966

The Seeds Act, 1966, which came into force on October 2, 1969, is a pivotal legislation aimed at regulating the quality of certain seeds for sale in India. It extends to the whole of India and comprises seven chapters and 25 sections. The primary objective of the Act is to ensure that farmers have access to good quality seeds, which are crucial for agricultural production and economic well-being.

Key Provisions of the Seeds Act, 1966:

• Regulation of Quality: The Act empowers the Central Government to notify specific kinds or varieties of seeds for sale and to specify minimum limits of germination, physical purity, and genetic purity for these seeds. This ensures a baseline quality standard for seeds available in the market.
• Central Seed Committee: It provides for the establishment of a Central Seed Committee (CSC) to advise the Central and State Governments on all matters relating to the administration of the Act and seed development.
• Seed Testing Laboratories: The Act mandates the establishment of a Central Seed Laboratory and State Seed Laboratories to analyze seed samples for quality parameters.
• Seed Certification Agencies: It provides for the establishment of Seed Certification Agencies at the state level to certify the quality of seeds, ensuring they meet prescribed standards. The Central Seed Certification Board (CSCB) was later established to coordinate and standardize seed certification across states.
• Regulation of Sale: The Act regulates the sale of notified kinds or varieties of seeds, making it mandatory for seed containers to carry specific labels with information such as crop name, variety, germination percentage, date of testing, and expiry date.
• Seed Inspectors and Analysts: It provides for the appointment of Seed Inspectors to inspect seed lots and Seed Analysts to test samples, ensuring compliance with the Act's provisions.
• Penalties: The Act prescribes penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for offenses related to selling substandard seeds, counterfeiting certification marks, or obstructing inspectors.
• Import and Export: It also addresses the regulation of import and export of seeds, and the recognition of foreign seed certification agencies.

Essential Activities for the Success of the Seed Industry in India

The success of India's seed industry is paramount for agricultural growth and food security. It requires a concerted effort across several key activities:

1. Robust Research and Development (R&D):

• Development of Improved Varieties: Continuous R&D is crucial for developing high-yielding, disease and pest-resistant, climate-resilient, and nutritionally enhanced crop varieties and hybrids. This includes leveraging modern breeding techniques and biotechnology.
• Public-Private Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between public research institutions (like ICAR) and private seed companies can accelerate variety development and dissemination.
• Investment: Increased public and private investment in agricultural research is vital. India's public investment in agricultural R&D is around 0.54% of agri-GDP, which needs significant enhancement.

2. Effective Quality Assurance and Certification:

• Stringent Standards: Maintaining and updating robust seed quality standards (germination, purity, moisture content) is essential.
• Efficient Certification: Streamlining the seed certification process through effective field inspections and laboratory testing, ensuring timely delivery of certified seeds.
• Digital Traceability: Implementing digital traceability systems for seed lots from production to sale can enhance transparency and combat spurious seeds.

3. Efficient Production and Supply Chain Management:

• Foundation Seed Production: Ensuring adequate production of foundation seeds, which are the progeny of breeder seeds, to meet the demand for certified seeds.
• Decentralized Production: Promoting decentralized seed production models, such as the Seed Village Programme, to enhance local availability and reduce transportation costs.
• Storage and Infrastructure: Developing robust seed storage facilities and cold chain infrastructure to minimize post-harvest losses and maintain seed viability.
• Logistics: Strengthening logistics and transport networks to ensure timely delivery of quality seeds to farmers, especially in remote areas.

4. Market Development and Farmer Access:

• Affordability: Making quality seeds affordable through subsidies or other support mechanisms, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
• Awareness and Extension: Extensive farmer awareness campaigns and strong agricultural extension services are needed to educate farmers about the benefits of quality seeds and proper usage.
• Credit Facilities: Providing access to credit for farmers to purchase quality seeds.
• Varietal Replacement: Encouraging a higher Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) by promoting the regular adoption of new, improved varieties. The recommended SRR for self-pollinated crops is 33%, cross-pollinated at 50%, and hybrids at 100%.

5. Policy Support and Regulatory Framework:

• Modernizing the Seeds Act: Updating the Seeds Act, 1966, with a new Seed Bill that addresses contemporary challenges like plant breeders' rights, seed licensing, and penalty enhancements, to provide a more comprehensive regulatory framework.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) of breeders to incentivize private sector investment in seed research.
• Harmonization: Harmonizing state-level product testing and certification procedures to avoid delays in product launches.
• Incentives: Providing incentives for seed producers, especially those developing locally adapted and climate-resilient varieties.

6. Human Resource Development:

• Skilled Workforce: Training and developing a skilled workforce for seed production, processing, testing, and distribution.
• Professionalization: Professionalizing organizers who coordinate between seed companies and growers through safeguards, bank financing, and capacity building.