Pulses and vegetable seeds

Indian Res. J. Genet. & Biotech. 9(4): 515 – 529 November(2017)
Corresponding author's e-mail : sujit3773@gmail. com
Published by Indian Society of Genetics, Biotechnology Research and Development,
5, E Biotech Bhawan, Nikhil Estate, Mugalia Road, Shastripuram, Sikandra, Agra 282007
Present Status Of Pulses and Vegetables: Seed Demand, Availability and
Strategies to Bridge The Gap In Uttar Pradesh
Sujit Kumar
1
, P.K. Upadhyay
2
,Sandha Yadav
1
, Ashwani Kumar
1
and Rajendra Kumar
1
1
U.P. Council of Agricultural Research, Lucknow – 226 010,
2
Deptt of Genetics and Plant Breeding
R.B.S. College, Faculty of Agriculture Bichpuri Campus, Agra
(Received : September , 2017 : Revised : October, 2017; Accepted :October, 2017)
Abstract
The agriculture is backbone of rural economy. Agriculture in India has made significant growth
and we are on the path of second green revolution through modern agricultural technology. For
sustainable agriculture, a good quality seed is the most basic and essential input. Other inputs
are contingent upon quality of seed for being optimally effective. The Indian seed industry has
played a very critical role in the growth of Indian Agriculture. Indian agriculture has earmarked
significant advances and the seed industry has played a key role in this endeavour. The
challenges confronting seed sector are now more than even before due to demand of quality
seed of promising varieties to ensure food security.NSC, SFCI, States Seeds Corporations and
other seed producing agencies both private and government backed are continuously and
gradually expanding all their academic research industrial and social activities especially in
terms of product range, volume and value of seed handled, level of seed distribution to the un-
reached areas especially the poor farmers with quality seeds. Hard work of these seed producing
agencies have built up a hard core of competent and experienced seed producers and seed
dealers in various parts of the country and have adequate level of specialization and competence
in handling and managing various segments of seed improvement on scientifically sound and
commercially viable terms.
Key Words: Seed Demand, Poor Farmer, Seed Companies , Promising Varieties
Introduction:
Seed is a key component among all inputs for
sustainable crop production. The response of all
other inputs depends on quality of seeds to a
large extent. It is estimated that quality of seed
accounts for 20-25% of productivity depending
upon the crop and it can be further raised up to
45% with efficient management of other inputs.
The developments in the seed industry in India,
particularly in last 30 years, are very significant
(Ali, 2016). A major re-structuring of the seed
industry by Government of India through the
National Seed Project Phase-I (1977-78),
Phase-II (1978-79) and Phase-III (1990-1991),
was carried out, which strengthened the seed
infrastructure that was most needed and
relevant around those times. This could be
termed as a first turning point in shaping of an
organized seed industry. Introduction of New
Seed Development
Policy (1988 – 1989) was yet another significant
mile stone in the Indian Seed Industry, which
transformed the very character of the seed
industry. The policy gave access to Indian

516 Sujit Kumar et.al [Vol.9 No.4]
farmers of the best of seed and planting
material available anywhere on the globe. The
policy stimulated appreciable investments by
private sector, Indian Corporate and MNCs in
the Indian seed sector with strong R&D base for
product development in each of the seed
companies with more emphasis on high value
hybrids of cereals and vegetables and hi-tech
products such as Bt. Cotton. As a result, farmer
has a wide product choice and seed industries,
working today are set to work with a ‘farmer
centric’ and market driven approach. However,
there is an urgent need for the State Seed
Corporations to transform themselves in tune
with the industry in terms of infrastructure,
technologies, approaches and the management
culture to be able to survive in the competitive
market and to enhance their contribution in the
national endeavour of increasing food
production to attain food & nutritional security.
According to the recent report, the Indian seeds
industry grew at a Compound Growth Rate
(CAGR) of 8.4 percent in volume terms from FY
2009 to FY 2015 to reach 3.5 million tonnes in
consumption. Double-digit growth for Indian
seed industry. Similarly, TechNavio’s analysts
forecast the Hybrid Seeds market in India to
grow at a CAGR of 14.1 percent during the
period 2014-2019 (ICRA, 2015 and TechNavio
(2015).
The importance of quality seed has been
realized by mankind long ago. The need for a
good viable seed for prosperity of human race is
mentioned in Rigveda of ancient India. It is
mentioned in the primeval manusmriti as
“SubeejamSukshetreJayateSampadyate” which
literally means “A good seed in a good field will
win and prosper”. Without good seed,
investment like fertilizer, water, pesticides and
other input will not pay the desired dividends,
(Lal 2008). Saving of some portion of produce
as seed for next cropping season or year in
various structures is a very common and age
old practice of Indian farming community. Albeit
there have been few private seed industries
dealing with production of high value crops such
as vegetable seeds. With some 500 companies
of various sizes, 24 of which with links to
multinationals, the private sector contributes a
little less than 50% of the commercial seed
requirement for the country today, (Agritex
2016). The growing of crops especially for
seeds in an organized fashion to maintain
quality in terms of genetic and physical purity is
realized for first time during green revolution
period with the establishment of National Seeds
Corporation (NSC) in 1963. It was setup by
aiming at promoting healthy development of
seed industry in India. The principal
responsibilities of NSC are establishing an
adequate system of quality control inspection
for scientific processing, storage and marketing
of seeds. It also undertakes the responsibility of
multiplication of seed of pre released varieties
and production of foundation seed of varieties.
The developments in the seed industry in India,
particularly in the last 30 years, are very
significant, (NSC, 2012). Few mile stone events
in seed policy by Govt. of India are described
below.
The Seeds Act, 1963
The Seeds Act was formulated in 1963 and has
come into force in 1966. The important features
of this act are: Seeds should contain specific
seed standards, which include stipulated
minimum physical and genetic purity,
percentage germination and not exceeding the
maximum permissible off types and weed
seeds. The seeds should be tagged either by
compulsory labelling or voluntary certification.
Further, the Act provides a system for seed
quality control through independent State Seed
Certification Agencies which were placed under
the control of state departments of agriculture.

November 2017 Present Status Of Pulses And Vegetables 517
National Seeds Project
The National Seeds Projects were implemented
in three phasesviz., Phase I (1975), Phase II
(1981) and Phase III (1988) with funds obtained
from World Bank. Under these projects initially
nine State Seed Corporations (later increased
to 13), 15 State Seed Certification Agencies and
State Seed Testing Laboratories were
established and programmed like Breeder Seed
Programme were under taken.
New Seeds Policy, 1988
This policy made a revolution in Indian seed
industry by liberalizing the seed trade. This
policy made Indian farmers to access best
quality seed or planting material from any part
of the world. Under this policy Foreign Direct
Investments are allowed and encouraged as a
result several multinational seed companies
entered into seed business in India and several
Indian private seed companies are welcomed
into huge seed trade. Seed production
isconsidered as one of “High Priority
Industries” under this policy. This policy has
also liberalized the import of improved varieties
and breeding lines and import of vegetable and
flower seed in general and seeds of other crops
based on some restrictions through open
general license and removed tariff barriers. This
has resulted in import of hybrid seeds in
cabbage, cauliflower, chillies, etc. besides large
quantities of seeds of carrot and beetroot
byprivate seed companies.
PPVFRA, 2001
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers
Rights Act, 2001 provides farmers the right to
save, use exchange, share and sell farm
produce of protected variety except sale of
branded seed. The farmers are also protected
against the unscrupulous seed companies that
provide spurious seeds or planting material by
declaring the expected performance of a
variety. It is envisaged that the breeders are
expected to disclose to the farmers at the time
of sale of seed or propagating material about
the potential of the variety sold. So that the
farmer or group of farmers can claim
compensation if it is failed to give specified
performance under given conditions as
specified by the breeder of the variety.
The Seeds Bill, 2004
The Seeds Bill, 2004 has been enacted to
overcome the limitation of the Seeds Act, 1966
and for the regulation of seed quality and
planting material of all agricultural, horticultural
and plantation crops with the view to ensure
availability of true to type seeds to Indian
farmers, curb sale of spurious and poor quality
seeds, increase in private participation in seed
production, distribution and seed testing and
liberalization of imports of seeds and planting
material.
Salient Features:
• Registration of kinds and varieties of Seeds
etc.
– Evaluation of performance
– Compensation to Framers
– Registration of Seed Producers and
Processing Units
– Seed dealers to be Registered
• Regulation of Sale of Seed and Seed
Certification
• Seed Analysis and Seed Testing
• Export and Import of Seeds and Planting
Material
• Offences and Punishment.

Policy Initiatives in Seed Sector: The
following policy initiatives have been taken by
the Government of India in seed sector:-
• Enactment of the Seeds Act, 1966
• Seed Review Team-SRT (1968)
• National Commission on Agriculture’s Seed
Group (1972)
• Launching of the World Bank aided National
Seeds Programme (1975-85) in three phases
leading to the creation of State Seeds
Corporations, State Seed Certification
Agencies, State Seed Testing Laboratories,
Breeder Seed Programmes etc
• Seed Control Order (1983)
• Creation of the Technology Mission on
Oilseeds & Pulses (TMOP) in 1986 now called
The Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil
Palm and Maize (ISOPOM).
• Production and Distribution Subsidy
• Distribution of Seed Mini-kits
• Seed Transport Subsidy Scheme (1987)
• New Policy on Seed Development (1988)
• Seed Bank Scheme (2000)
• National Seeds Policy (2002)
• The Seeds Bill (2004)
• Formulation of National Seed Plan (2005)
• National Food Security Mission (2007)
• RashtriyaKrishiVikasYojna (2007)
National Seeds Policy, 2002: Thrust Areas
– variety development
– plant variety protection
– seed production
– quality assurance
– seed distribution and marketing
– infrastructure facilities
– transgenic plant varieties
– import of seeds and planting materials
– seed exports
– promotion of domestic private sector
seed industry
– strengthening of the monitoring
system
Seed Production System in India:
The Indian seed programme largely adheres to
the limited generations’ system for seed
multiplication in a phased manner. The system
recognizes three generations namely breeder,
foundation and certified seeds and provides
adequate safeguards for quality assurance in
the seed multiplication chain to maintain the
purity of the variety as it flows from the breeder
to the farmer.
Nucleus Seed
It is the initial amount of pure seed of improved
variety or parental lines of a hybrid produced
under supervision of the plant breeder who has
evolved that variety of hybrid. The nucleus seed
is genetically cent percent pure and does not
contain other physical impurities. The nucleus
seed is produced strictly under isolation so as to
avoid both genetically and physical
contamination. Nucleus seed should retain
original vigour of the variety or parental line.
About 500 to 1000 individual plants (IPS) which
are vigorously growing and healthy are selected
from the nucleus bulk-plot before flowering
starts. Observations are recorded on each IPS
for all the important morphological characters
viz plant height , stem colour, hairiness,
pigmentation, growth habit, colour and shape of
different plant parts, days to flowering and
maturity. The IPS which are a) Off types or b)
affected by seed borne disease are removed
and discarded. The individual IPS selected are
harvested and threshed separately and their
seed produce is dried, cleaned and stored in
separate cloth bags or paper bags with proper
labeling. The seed of each IPS is examined for
seed characters and for oil content if it is an oil
seed crop. The seed produce of each IPS is

weighed. The seed yield per IPS , 1000 (or 100)
seed weight and data on other quantitative
characters more than mean+ S.E are retained
as source for raising next year’s nucleus seed
and of rejected IPS is bulked with general
produce.
Seed produce of IPS selected during previous
year is grown as plant to row progeny during
subsequent year. Observations are recorded in
all the plants form each IPS for important
characters. The IPS which shows off types are
discarded and harvested before flowering so as
to avoid contamination. 500 to 1000 vigorous
growing healthy and true to type IPS are
selected from remaining progeny rows and their
produce is subjected to harvesting, processing
and statistical analysis as described earlier. The
produce of selected individual (IPS) is utilized
for raising plant to row progenies in the next
year.
The selected plant to row progenies are
harvested and processed in individual bulks.
Their seed is examined, weighted and
subjected to statistical analysis for mean and
S.E. The progenies which show seed yield more
than mean+ S.E are bulked together which
becomes source for breeder seed.
In case of cross pollinated crops it is
essential to self IPS as well as each plant from
every bulk before flowering for previous cross
pollination.
Breeder Seed
Breeder seed is the progeny of nucleus seed of
a variety and is produced by the originating
breeder or by a sponsored breeder. Breeder
seed production is the mandate of the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and is
being undertaken with the help of;
 ICAR Research Institutions, National Research
Centres and All India Coordinated Research
Project of different crops;
 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)
with 14 centres established in different
States;
 Sponsored breeders recognized by
selected State Seed Corporations, and
 Non-Governmental Organizations.
ICAR also promotes sponsored breeder seed
production programme through the National
Seeds Corporation (NSC) / State Farms
Corporation of India (SFCI), State Seeds
Corporation (SSCs), KrishiVigyanKendras
(KVKs) etc. There has been a steady increase
in the production of breeder seed over the
years.
The indents from various seeds
producing agencies are collected by the State
Departments of Agriculture and submitted to the
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation
(DAC), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of
India, which is turn compiles the whole
information crop wise and sends it to the Project
Coordinator/Project Director of the respective
crops in ICAR for final allocation of production
responsibility to different SAUs/ICAR
institutions. The allocation of responsibility for
production of breeder seed is discussed in the
workshop in respect of the particular crop and is
made to various centres as per the facilities and
capabilities available at the centres and the
availability of nucleus seed of a particular
variety. It may be noted that indents are
compiled and forwarded to ICAR at least 18
months in advance. To make the programme
systematic, and for proper evaluation of the
breeder seed production programme,
monitoring terms have been constituted and
reporting proformae have been devised. The
monitoring terms consist of breeder of the
variety, the concerned Project Director or his
nominee, representative of NSC. The
production of breeder seed is reviewed every

year by ICAR-DAC in the annual seed review
meeting.
The actual production of breeder seed by
different centres is intimated to DAC by ICAR.
On receipt of information from ICAR, the
available breeder seed is allocated to all the
indenters in an equitable manner. In the case
of varieties which are relevant only to a
particular State, the indents for breeder seed
are placed by the concerned Director of
Agriculture with the SAUs/ICAR institutions
located in the State. The breeder seed
produced is lifted directly by the Director of
Agriculture or foundation seed producing
agencies authorized by him.
Foundation Seed
Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed
and is required to be produced from breeder
seed or from foundation seed which can be
clearly traced to breeder seed. The
responsibility for production of foundation seed
has been entrusted to the NSC, SFCI, State
Seeds Corporation, State Departments of
Agriculture and private seed producers, who
have the necessary infrastructure facilities.
Foundation seed is required to meet the
standards of seed certification prescribed in the
Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards,
both at the field and laboratory testing.
Certified Seed
Certified seed is the progeny of foundation seed
and must meet the standards of seed
certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum
Seeds Certification Standards, 1988. In case of
self-pollinated crops, certified seeds can also be
produced from certified seeds provided it does
not go beyond three generations from
foundation seed stage-I.
The production and distribution of
quality/certified seeds is primarily the
responsibility of the State Governments.
Certified seed production is organized through
State Seed Corporation, Departmental
Agricultural Farms, Cooperatives etc. The
distribution of seeds is undertaken through a
number of channels i.e. departmental outlets at
block and village level, cooperatives, outlets of
seed corporations, private dealers etc. The
efforts of the State Governments are being
supplemented by NSC and SFCI which produce
varieties of national importance. NSC markets
its seeds through its own marketing network
and also through its dealer network. SFCI
markets its seeds mainly through the State
Departments of Agriculture and the State Seed
Corporations. The production of certified seed
by NSC and State Seed Corporations is mainly
organized through contract growing
arrangements with progressive farmers. SFCI
undertakes seed production on its own farms.
The private sector has also started to play an
important role in the supply of quality seeds of
vegetables and crops like hybrid maize,
sorghum, Bajra, cotton, castor, sunflower,
paddy etc.
The requirement of certified/quality seeds is
assessed by State Governments on the basis of
the area sown under different crop varieties,
area covered by hybrid and self-pollinated
varieties as well as the seed replacement rate
achieved. The availability of seed is
ascertained by the State Departments of
Agriculture on the basis of the production of
seed in government farms and production of
seeds by State Seeds Corporations and other
agencies. The Government of India periodically
assesses the requirement and availability of
seeds through detailed interaction with State
Governments and seed producing agencies in
the bi-annual Zonal Seed Review Meetings and
the National Kharif and Rabi Conferences. The
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation
facilitates tie-up arrangements with seed
producing agencies to ensure that the

requirement of seeds is met to the maximum
extent possible.
Pulses
India grows the largest variety of pulses in the
world, accounting for about 32 per cent of the
area under cultivation and 25 per cent of the
world production. The important pulse crops
grown in India are chickpea with a 49 per cent
share, pigeon pea with a 16 per cent share,
lentils with a 7 per cent share, mung-bean with
a 5 per cent share, field pea with a 5 per cent
share and urd-bean with 4 per cent. The major
pulse producing states are Madhya Pradesh
with a 27 per cent share, Rajasthan with an 11
per cent share, Maharashtra with a 10 per cent
share, Uttar Pradesh with an 8 per cent share
and Andhra Pradesh with a 7 per cent share,
which together accounted for 63 per cent of the
total production during 2014-15.The Twelfth
Plan Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting
Material under the National Mission on
Agricultural Extension and Technology is under
implementation with the objective of the overall
improvement of the seed sector and seed
supply chain in India.Between 2007-08 and
2014-15, among the crop categories, the
distribution of certified and quality seeds grew
substantially for pulses, followed by cereals and
fibres at 97 per cent, 64 per cent and 47 per
cent respectively. From 2015-16, pulses have
also been made a part of the “Bringing Green
Revolution in Eastern India” programme for
demonstrations under the cropping systems
based approach to target rice-fallow areas.
Figure 1: Distribution of Certified/Quality Seeds for Major Crop Groups
The increase in the use of quality seeds for
pulses indicates that the push for pulses in the
Twelfth Plan almost doubled the use of pulse
seeds. However, since most of the pulses and
oilseeds are open pollinated, the participation of
the private sector is relatively poor and the
public sector has to shoulder the responsibility
of providing seeds. There is a need to further
strengthen the research for pulses and oilseeds
to develop varieties that are high-yielding and
drought and pest-tolerant.
However, despite the best efforts of the centre
and state governments, low coverage of
agricultural insurance remained a continuing
concern for the policy makers (Table -- and ---
).(NSSO) Results of the National Sample

Survey Office’s 70th round Survey also
indicates that only a small segment of
agricultural households insured their crops
against possible crop loss during the crop
period surveyed. This poor coverage was
primarily on account of lack of awareness
among the cultivators. For example, in case of
pulses, 58 per cent of urad cultivators and
49 per cent of moong cultivators were not
aware of and were not insuring their pulses
crops during the Survey period.
Table 1: State-wise Insured Area 2014–15 (area in million hectares)
Table 2: Crop-wise Insurance Coverage Under All Schemes
However, India’s agricultural imports have
become too lopsided with pulses emerging as
one of the largest import procured from a few
nations. India’s pulse imports are largely from
Canada, Myanmar and Australia while imported
edible oil is usually palm oil from Malaysia
(Figure 2). Increasing consumption of pulses
and edible oils coupled with lack of

technological breakthrough in production of
these commodities and heavy dependence on a
few trade partners have become important
policy concerns. Government is taking
numerous steps towards a long-term solution
for the perennial shortage of pulses and
oilseeds in the country.
Performance of the Horticulture Sector with
Specific Reference to Vegetables
Figure 2: Share of India’s Pulse Imports from
various Countries in 2014-15 (Rs. Lakhs)
Horticulture has emerged as a powerful source
of employment to millions of people right from
production, post-harvest operation, chains of
value addition, marketing and, ultimately,
product development. In response to changing
dietary patterns, the composition of agricultural
production has diversified over the years. As a
result, the horticulture and livestock sectors
have emerged as major drivers of growth in the
agricultural and allied sector. On the production
and productivity front, the horticulture sector
outperformed conventional food crops. Between
2004-05 and 2014-15, horticultural output
achieved an annual growth of about 7 per cent
as compared to around 3 per cent growth in
food grain production. While the area under
horticulture crops grew by about 2.7 per cent
per annum, productivity increased by 37 per
cent between 2004-05 and 2014-15. As a result,
India has maintained its second rank in the
global production of fruits and vegetables, next
only to China. A comparative picture of
horticulture and food grain production over the
last few years is given in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Trend in Food-grain and Horticulture Production
The horticulture sector is a rapidly growing
component of the agriculture sector. In view of
its increasing importance, the comprehensive
development of the sector has been taken up
under the Mission for Integrated Development
of Horticulture (MIDH). The Mission subsumes
all the horticulture development programmes,
viz., National Horticulture Mission, Horticulture
Mission for North East and Himalayan States,
National Bamboo Mission, National Horticulture
Board, Coconut Development Board and
Central Institute for Horticulture, Nagaland. All

states, including Uttarakhand and UTs, have
been covered under the Mission. The share of
different commodities in horticulture production
is given in Fig. 4.
Figure 4: Share of Different Commodity Groups in Horticulture Production
Even as it emerges as a major driver of growth
in the agriculture and allied sector, the
horticulture sector is also facing numerous
emerging challenges. Among these, the
prominent ones are pressures emanating from
climate change; post-harvest losses; bio-
security concerns; absence of market linkages
and resultant price fluctuations; changing quality
consciousness; and global competition. These
concerns need to be addressed in order to
sustain the growth momentum in horticulture.
The focus of growth strategy, therefore, needs
to be on raising productivity by supporting high
density plantations, protected cultivation, micro
irrigation, quality planting material, rejuvenation
of senile orchards and a thrust on post-harvest
management to ensure that the farmers do not
lose their produce in the transit from the farm
gate to the consumer’s plate.
Table 3: Requirement and Availability of Certified/Quality Seeds of Pulse Crops in Uttar Pradesh
for the Year 2017 (Qty in Qtls.)
S.
No
.
Name of the
Organization
Pigeon pea Other Pulses
Target Availability Surplus/
Shortage
Target Availability Surplus/
Shortage
1. Agriculture
Department
8500 785 -7715 96968 32661 -64307
2. Cooperative 1100 0 -1100 25263 854 -24409
3. U.P. Agro 770 0 -770 11050 8 -11042
4. U.P.
BeejVikas
Nigam
0 0 0 9750 35 -9715
5. Kribhco 0 0 0 1100 9 -1091
6. I.F.F.D.C. 0 0 0 200 8 -192
7. N.S.C. 450 0 -450 2210 952 -1258
8. T.D.C. 0 0 0 200 0 -200
Total 10820 785 -10035 146741 34518 -112223
9. Private
Company
14720 8746 -5974 283075 319439 +36364
Grand Total 25540 9531 -16009 429816 353958 -75858

Above Table 3 is self-explanatory about present
demand of various pulses which is mentioned in
the form of target. If it is compared with
availability from public sector then a huge gap is
there between target and availability on contrary
private sector companies/NGOs are not only
filling the gap but surplus is there. Here it is
advocated to mark significance of suitability
testing regarding seeds coming from private
sector before their adoption by farming
community.
Vegetables
India is the second largest producer of
vegetables after China and is a leader in the
production of vegetables like peas and okra.
Besides, India occupies the second position in
terms of production of brinjal, cabbage,
cauliflower and onion and the third position in
the production potato and tomato in the world.
Vegetables occupied an area of 9.5 million
hectares during 2014-15 with a total production
of 167 million tonnes having average
productivity of 17.6 tonnes per hectare.
Vegetable production registered a quantum
jump of 66 per cent between 2001-02 and 2014-
15. The major vegetable crops grown in the
country are potato, tomato, onion, brinjal,
cabbage, cauliflower, peas, okra, chillies,
beans, melons, etc. West Bengal has been
maintaining the lead in vegetable production in
the country, contributing about 16 per cent to
total production, while Uttar Pradesh is
producing almost 14 per cent of vegetables
in the country with the difference being that
the productivity of vegetables in Uttar
Pradesh is as high as 21 tonnes per hectare
against 19 tonnes per hectare in West Bengal.
The availability of quality seed is of utmost
importance for increasing the vegetable
production. Vegetable growers recognize quality
seed of improved varieties as the most strategic
resource for higher and better vegetable yields.
Although India ranks second in vegetable
production, the quality vegetable seed
production in the country has been insufficient.
The growth of plant and the quality of seed
production are strongly influenced not only by
genetic factors but also by the environmental
condition, in which production is undertaken.
Emphasis should always be laid on those
factors which contribute to and affect seed
quality like selection of crop and variety, seed
source, rouging, harvesting and post-harvest
operations etc. The package of seed production
technology varies from location to location and
from crop to crop. But a broad general
recommendation can be adopted which could
be suitably modified on the basis of individual
vegetables and the growing area.Productivity of
vegetables in India continues to be low
compared to world average productivity. Special
emphasis is being given for production of
vegetables under protected cultivation under
Mission for Integrated Development of
Horticulture (MIDH). Per capita availability of
vegetables in India is 357 gm/ person/day,
which is helping in fighting malnutrition. Details
of the area, production and productivity of
vegetables during the last decade are depicted
in Figure 5 below:

Figure 5: Growth in Area, Production and Productivity of Vegetables
Current Status:
Indian seed industry has been growing awfully
in quantity and value over the past fifty years.
Both public and private sector
corporations/companies are actively involving in
quality seed production. During recent past,
seed technology has emerged as potent tool to
achieve targeted agricultural production. India
has one of the largest public National
Agriculture Research System (NARS) in the
world. (Kabir and Saiyed, 2011).The public
sector component comprises National Seeds
Corporation (NSC), State Farm Corporation of
India (SFCI) and 15 State Seeds Corporations
(SSCs), Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) institutions and State Agricultural
Universities. ICAR launched an All India
Coordinated Research Improvement project
(AICRP) on seed production called National
Seed Project in 1979 with 14 centres in different
Agricultural Universities. AICRP on production
of breeder seed in vegetable crops is started
under National Seed Project in 1994. Twenty
two State Seed Certification Agencies and 104
State Seed Testing Laboratories are involving in
quality control and certification. The private
sector comprises around 150 seed companies
of national and foreign origin but only few
companies like M/S BejoSheetal, Indo-American
Hybrid Seeds and Namdhari Seeds are working
exclusively on vegetable hybrids.
The Indian public sector seed industry used to
dominate the private sector in the very
beginning. The order of type of seeds
dominating the market in terms of quantity and
value has been open-pollinated varieties
followed by public hybrids and private hybrids.
The situation is quite reversed currently. Seeds
of the private hybrids are forming a significant
portion of the total vegetable seed market. The
availability of vegetable seeds with NSC as on
30.09.2013 is 133.43 t of which 131.68 t of
varietal seeds and only 1.75 t of hybrid seeds.
Due to advent of private seed companies with
the liberalization of seed trade in 1988, the
public sector seed corporations/companies
have started declining and becoming inept. Now
a day the public sector is mostly confined to
certified seeds of high volume, low value
segment of high yielding varieties of cereals,
pulses and cotton.

Table 4: Requirement and Availability of Certified/Quality Seeds of Vegetable Crops in Uttar
Pradesh for the Year 2017 (Qty in Qtls.)
Data presented in Table 4 exposing that except
pea and spinach availability of all vegetable
seeds are null. Regarding pea and spinach also
availability is less than 10% revealing that
demand of these vegetable crop seeds are
being fulfilled by private sector. Again question
of authenticity of these seeds is unsolved. If we
talk about potato seeds it is being fulfilled by
Department of Horticulture with the help of
CPRI, Meerut, SAUs, NSC and other public
sector organization.
In vegetables most of the public sector varieties
and hybrids are replaced by private sector
varieties and hybrids, seed production of which
is solely done by the particular manufacturers.
Corporate seed firms are mainly concentrating
on vegetables like tomato, cabbage, brinjal,
chilli, okra and cucurbits where the seed
production of OPVs and hybrids iscomparatively
easy and more profitable. The doable
explanation for moribund of public sector can be
incapability to generate huge funds on research
and development (R&D) when compared to
private seed companies and lack of proper
advertisement and market for public sector bred
varieties and hybrids. Private seed corporations
are spending 10-12% of their turnover in R&D.
Medium sized seed companies annual
investment in R&D is growing 20%annually.
Country wise share of export of vegetable
seeds from India are depicted in Figure 6 below:
S. No. Name of Crop Requirement Availability Surplus/Shortage
1. Pea 139084.07 272.20 -138811.87
2. Tomato 56.74 0.00 -56.74
3. Radish 818.68 0.00 -818.68
4. Spinach 3014.33 27.68 -2986.65
5. Methi 2056.91 0.00 -2056.91
6. Carrot 449.94 0.00 -449.94
7. Corriander 740.98 0.00 -740.98
8. Bhindi 13344.70 0.00 -13344.70
9. Bottle Gourd 3079.33 0.00 -3079.33
10. Sponge Gourd 1974.02 0.00 -1974.02
11. Tinda 267.27 0.00 -267.27
12. Bitter Gourd 398.10 0.00 -398.10
13. Cow pea 2042.80 0.00 -2042.80
14. Chillies 152.60 0.00 -152.60
15. Brinjal 13.44 0.00 -13.44
16. Water Melon 210.24 0.00 -210.24
17. Musk Melon 344.13 0.00 -344.13
18. Cucumber 21940.92 0.00 -21940.92

Fig 6: Country wise share of export of vegetable seeds from India
Conclusion:
The Indian Seed Improvement Programme is
backed up by a strong crop improvement
programme in both the public and private
sectors. At the moment, the industry is highly
vibrant and energetic and is well recognized in
the international seed arena. Several
developing and neighbouring countries have
benefited from quality seed imports from India.
India’s Seed Programme has a strong seed
production base in terms of diverse and ideal
agro-climates spread throughout the country for
producing high quality seeds of several tropical,
temperate and sub-tropical plant varieties in
enough quantities at competitive prices. Over
the years, several seed crop zones have
evolved with extreme levels of specialization.
Similarly, for post-harvest handing, the Indian
seed processing/conditioning industry has
perfected the techniques of quality up-gradation
and maintenance to ensure high standards of
physical condition and quality. By virtue of the
diverse agro-climates several geographical
zones in the country have emerged as ideal
seed storage locations under ambient
conditions. In terms of seed marketing and
distribution, more than about 20000 seed
dealers and distributors are in the business.
Over the years, seed quality specifications
comparable to international standards have
been evolved and are adopted by the Indian
Seed Programme in both the public and private
sectors. The country has a strong rigorous
mechanism for seed quality control through
voluntary seed certificate and compulsory
labelling monitored by provincial level Seed Law
Enforcement Agencies. For seed technology
research, India has a national level Directorate
under the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research as well as Status level research set
up in the State Agricultural Universities. In seed
education, 4-5 prominent State Agricultural
Universities offer post-graduation in Seed
Technology leading to M.Sc./Ph.D Degree. The
seed industry has three well reputed national
level associations apart from several provincial
level groups to take care of the interests of the
industry.
Thus, the Indian Seed Programme is now
occupying a pivotal place in Indian agriculture
and is well poised for continued growth in the
years to come. National Seeds Corporation,
which is the largest single seed organization in
the country with such a wide product range,
pioneered the growth and development of a
sound industry in India. NSC, SFCI, States
Seeds Corporations and other seed producing
agencies are continuously and gradually
expanding all its activities especially in terms of
its product range, volume and value of seed

handled, level of seed distribution to the un-
reached areas, etc. Over the past four
decades, these seed producing agencies have
built up a hard core of competent and
experienced seed producers and seed dealers
in various parts of the country and have
adequate level of specialization and
competence in handling and managing various
segments of seed improvement on scientifically
sound and commercially viable terms.
References:
1. Agritex 2016 The Evolution of the Seed
Industry in India September 8th -10th ,
2016 Hitex exhibition center,
Hyderabad, India.
2. Ali AA 2016 Role of seed and its
technological innovations in Indian
agricultural sector.Biosci.Biotech. Res.
Comm. 9(4): 621-624.
3. http://plantauthority.gov.in/
4. http://plantquarantineindia.nic.in/pqis
pub/html/seepol.htm
5. http://seednet.gov.in/Material/IndianS
eedSector.htm
6. http://seednet.gov.in/PDFFILES/Seed
_Act_1966.pdf
7. http://www.cicr.org.in/pdf/legislation_
seed_quality.pdf
8. http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-
seeds-bill-2004-104/
9. ICRA 2015 Double-digit growth for
Indian seed industry: New Delhi.
10. Kabir W and SaiyedI M 2011 SAARC
Agriculture Centre, 2011 National
Agricultural Research System (NARS)
In SAARC Countries - An Analysis of
System Diversity.
11. Lal B 2008 Transfer and the Seed
Innovation System in India Presented in
EU‐US Early Research Conference on
Research and Innovation Studies,
STeHPSUniversiteit of Twente, The
Netherlands.
12. NSC 2012 National Seeds Congress,
December 21st to Dec 23rd Organized
by NSRTC Varanasi and CG SSC
Agency Raipur CG ISTA (2016)
International Seed Testing Association
Accreditation Standard by ISO/IEC
17025 Standard.
13. TechNavio T Report 2015 Hybrid
seeds market in India 2015-2019
SKU: IRTNTR5497.

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