CII Communique - February, 2010

agriculture
seeds, accommodating new regulations on genetically
modified crops, and improving market conditions for
private seed companies, as well as its effects on both
farmers and seed producers, the National Seed Bill
2004 must be introduced and necessary action should
be taken for its implementation.
• Biotech Approval System: Currently companies
are facing challenges in many states to conduct even
research experiments with state university systems.
States should be encouraged to continue evaluation
of new technologies based on GEAC/RCGM approvals.
Secondly, once a biotech product is approved by the
central Government, it should not require further approval
from states.
• IPR System: Enforcement of PVP and IPR laws to
protect the interest of innovators.
• Value-based Pricing System: It takes 5-10 years and
significant investment to develop new seed and biotech
products. The pricing of these products should be based
on the benefits delivered to the consumer and farmers
should be allowed to make purchase decisions based on
the value realized by them through different technologies
and seeds. Price control measures discourage any
further innovation.
• Improve Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) in self
pollinated crops: SRR and productivity in the crops
where hybrids are possible has climbed dramatically
in recent times. For example, vegetables, sunflower,
cotton >90% SRR; corn >60% SRR. The government,
in consultation with private sector technology providers,
must consider appropriate partnering and business
models for bringing technologies to self-pollinated
crops, such as setting up a facilitating vehicle that
can spur investments and availability of seeds and
technologies in rice, wheat, soybean and pulses.
Alternatively, a system where the government. partners
with technology providers and rewards them based on
the outcome can be another option.
Extension
The Extension system as practiced today has resulted
in a huge gap in the knowledge creation and its
dissemination to the users. A focused knowledge transfer
policy will mobilize private investments and technology
sourcing and adoption. Along with strengthening the
public sector research system, Public Private Partnership
is suggested, by allowing public extension workers
to work for the private sector on deputation and as
consultants. The need is for:
• Mobilization of Resources / Funds for Extension
Services: Raise public investment for agricultural
extension services, discard the various defective subsidy
schemes related to extension services and dovetail them
into a single consolidated scheme, making it attractive
for private sector to participate
• Urgent need for convergence of extension services
and schemes to eliminate duplication of efforts with
multiplicity of agents
• Establish a National Body for Extension Services,
named ‘National Centre for Extension Services’ (NCES)
and converge all schemes and programmes under it.
Allocate funds from the Government of India’s Skill
Development Mission / Ministry of Labour, for NCES,
as extension services to farmers is also a part of skill
development
• Value Proposition for Stakeholders: The public-private
participation of extension activities under the umbrella of
NCES can have a great impact for farmers, government
agencies and agribusiness companies. The value
proposition derived by each is delineated below:
Farmer’s Perspective: Improved quality and productivity,
cost effective agronomic solutions, reduced F&V
wastages at farm level due to adoption of pre and
post-harvest practices, minimization of travel or logistic
cost, easy credit at their doorsteps, market access,
lower risk through crop insurance, sustainable income
and rise in standard of living.
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