Popularization of New varieties: Standing Committee Decision March 17, 2012

Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has constituted a Standing Committee of Seed Producers

was under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Seeds) of this Ministry. The Committee is

represented by officers of the Ministry, ICAR, national and state level Seed Corporations as well as

stakeholders from the private sector.

The mandate of the Committee was to coordinate the efforts of different agencies for effective demand

and supply mechanism and availability of seeds of various crops and varieties throughout the country.

First and Second Meeting were held on 23.09.2011 and28.12.2011 respectively at New Delhi. During the

aforesaid two meetings, major decisions that were arrived at are:

1. New procedure for breeder seed indent and lifting.

2. Seed Rolling Plan.

3. Popularization of new varieties.

4. Discouraging old varieties of more than l0 years by phasing out the subsidy gradually over a period of

three years by reducing it to 50%, 25%, 25% in the 1st Year, 2nd Year and 3rd year respectively and

completely removing it during the fourth year.

5. Procurement of seed through tender by the State Government -need for formulation of a uniform

procedure.

These are major decisions affecting entire seed chain starting from Breeder Seed Indent to

Certified/Quality seed production and distribution. Therefore, the State Governments are requested to

send their comments/views on the above decisions. The comments were invited to sent to ministry

officer up to 20.02.2012, for its adoption implementation during I2h plan. If no comments are received

by the aforesaid date then it would be assumed that State Governments have nothing to say and the

decision mentioned at above, and as elaborated, would be put under implementation from the

beginning of the 12th Five Year Plan i.e.2012-13 onwards.

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