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By GK Bhandari
In the area of pulses, it’s shortage of quality seed that is
one of the major constraints in increasing India’s yield potential
and in the spread of new improved varieties/hybrids.
The issue here is that production of seed is time consuming, cost
intensive and risky under the rainfed conditions in which oilseeds,
pulses and maize are grown. Seed production requires advance planning,
taking the following factors into account:
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Increase in area under crop |
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Varietal replacement contemplated |
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Progressive replacement of seed in case of self/open pollinated
varieties |
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Area expansion under hybrids |
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Promotion of the new varieties/hybrids |
In India, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the
nodal agency for organising production and supply of breeder seed
of oilseed, pulses and maize crops. The management of seed falls
under the responsibility of state governments in collaboration with
the state and central seed producing agencies.
There is large time gap between the development of quality seed
and the stage when it can be distributed to farmers. There are also
a number of intermediaries and agencies involved, making the process
more complex.
The following chart indicates the stages and time involved in production
of quality seed:
| Production Year |
Production Stage |
Producing Agency |
| First year |
Nucleus |
ICAR |
| Second year |
Nucleus to Breeder |
ICAR |
| Third year |
Breeder to Foundation |
ICAR/Seed Corporations/SAUs/ SFCI/KRIBHCO/NSC
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| Fourth year |
Foundation to Certified |
Seed Corporations, OILFEDs, Others
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| Fifth year |
Distribution to farmer for cultivation |
Source: DAC note on National Pulses Development Project (NPDP)
and Integrated Scheme Of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm & Maize(ISOPOM)
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