Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
2. SEED AND PLANTING MATERIAL, FARM CHEMICALS, FARM
MECHANIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY
2.1 Seed & planting material
There is wide gap in productivity of any crop from State to State even when
there is no varietal difference. Extension messages for horticulture crops should
incorporate production and plant protection technology to bridge the gap between
potential and actual productivity.
In spite of planning for area expansion, a system of production planning for seed
& planting material for horticulture crops has not been put in place.
As public sector research in respect of seeds of fruits, vegetables and flowers has
not been able to cope with the needs of the sector, large varieties of open private
sector hybrids and imported hybrid seeds of horticulture crops, even though not
offered for certification, has captured a major share of the Indian market.
The provisions of Seed Act 1966 and Seed (Amendment) Act 1972 do not address
the quality needs of vegetatively propagated crops. The Union Government has,
therefore, introduced a Seeds Bill, 2004 in Rajya Sabha in which for the first
time clauses have been made for the registration of seed varieties and also the
registration of horticulture nurseries in India. However, the Seed Bill is yet to be
passed and come in to force as an Act. In this background, the farmers generally
select the seeds for horticulture crops based on brand name and past performance
but they continue to have difficulties in accessing quality planting materials for
vegetatively propagated horticulture plants.
As the first step towards quality planting materials, DAC should designate
agencies like NHB to accredit and rate horticulture nurseries. Protocols for
accreditation of horticulture nurseries, approved by DAC in consultation with
ICAR should be adopted.
Steps need to be taken for developing General and Specific Guidelines for
Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing of horticulture crops
including grapes. These crops should then be notified as eligible for registration
under Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV & FR) Act, 2001.
Annexures
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