the Symposium on Wheats for More Tropical Environments - cimmyt

Production, Storageand Marketing of Wheat Seed in IndiaS.B. Singh, U.P. Seeds and Tarai Development Corporation, Baldi(Patnagar), Nainital, IndiaAbstractBoth <strong>the</strong> production and productivity ofwheat has increased in India to anappreciable extent since <strong>the</strong> introduction of<strong>the</strong> semidwarf varieties from MeXico,and concerted efforts have been made in <strong>the</strong> multiplication ofquality seed.Production has gone up from 12.25 million tons in 1965-66 to 42.5 million tonsin 1983-84; productivity has increasedfrom 913 to 1863 kg/ha. Certified seedproduction has increasedfrom approximately 50,000 tons in 1974-75 to 230,000tons in 1983-84. Marketing ofseed is arranged through public and private-sectoragencies. To curb <strong>the</strong> sale ofspurious seed, seed law is enforced through <strong>the</strong>1966 Seeds Act. Heavy dependence on afew varieties and <strong>the</strong> spread of karnalbunt (Neovossia indica) pose a serious threat to wheat cultivation in <strong>the</strong> country.Breeder seed multiplication needs to be streng<strong>the</strong>ned, and a buffer stock ofseedmaintainedfor stability in production.297In increasing crop production and yield,seed plays a vital role. It is not justano<strong>the</strong>r agricultural input, but ra<strong>the</strong>r adynamic instrument used to achievespecific agricultural productionobjectives. There cannot be a morepotent tool for peace, progress andprosperity than seeds for developingcountries, such as India, Pakistan,Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh andIndonesia, where agriculture is <strong>the</strong>backbone of <strong>the</strong> national economies.The discovery of dwarf plant types in<strong>the</strong> world's popular food-grain crops,e.g., wheat and rice, and <strong>the</strong> spread ofseed of adapted and- high-yieldingvarieties may be conSidered much moresignificant and revolutionary than <strong>the</strong>discovery of atomic power.The 1960s was a turning-point in <strong>the</strong>history of agriculture on <strong>the</strong> Indiansubcontinent, with <strong>the</strong> introduction of<strong>the</strong> semidwarf wheat varieties, such asSonora 63, Sonora 64, Lerma Rojo 64and Mayo 64, along with a largenumber of segregating materials fromCIMMYT, Mexico (1963-64). About <strong>the</strong>same time, <strong>the</strong> rice varieties Taichungand Nitan were introduced from Taiwan(1964) and IR8 from IRRI in <strong>the</strong>Philippines (1965). The introduction of<strong>the</strong>se varieties, and <strong>the</strong>ir fur<strong>the</strong>rdevelopment through multidisciplinarycrop improvement projects, broughtnew hope for increasing foodproduction in India and paved <strong>the</strong> wayfor <strong>the</strong> reconstruction of native varietiesto cater to <strong>the</strong> needs of varyingecological conditions.The Seed IndustryFarmer acceptance of <strong>the</strong> introducedvarieties in all parts of <strong>the</strong> country led<strong>the</strong> Government of India to extend itssupport to supplying good quality seed,as well as fertilizers and pesticides.Wheat production has increased from12.25 million tons in 1965-66 to 42.5million tons in 1983-84, withproductivity going up from 913 kg/hato 1863 kg/ha.In <strong>the</strong> early 1960s, <strong>the</strong> seed industry in<strong>the</strong> country was poorly developed. Theprivate sector produced small quantitiesof flower and vegetable seeds, and <strong>the</strong>public sector attempted to disseminateimproved seed from small governmentownedfarms, but with little success. Inorder to meet <strong>the</strong> grOWing demand forquality seed, <strong>the</strong> government