26th September, 2002
Ministry of Agriculture  


LEGISLATION TO BRING ABOUT REFORMS IN THE SEEDS SECTOR ON THE ANVIL

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF AGRICULTURE MINISTRY MEETS


Amendments to the Seeds Act, 1966 and Seeds (Control Order), 1983 are on the anvil to bring about reforms in the Seeds Sector. The proposed legislation aims at establishment of National Seeds Board (NSB), compulsory registration of seed varieties for purpose of sale to granted by NSB and registration to be granted for new varieties on the basis of multi-location trials over a period of three seasons. The NSB will accredit ICAR Centres, State Agriculture Universities and Private organizations to conduct value for cultivation and use trials, registration of seed producers and seed processing plants and regulating import and export of seeds. This was disclosed by the Agriculture Minister Shri Ajit Singh while addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry here today.

The Minister said under the proposed amendment, import of seeds will be permitted only of registered varieties. Any person who imports seeds or planting material will declare whether such material is a product of transgenic materials, he said. However, import of seed in limited quantity of unregistered variety is to be permitted for research and trial.

Shri Ajit Singh said, the National Seeds Policy has been formulated to provide a framework for ensuring growth of the seeds sector in a liberalized economic environment. It seeks to provide the Indian farmers with a wide range of superior seed varieties/planting materials in adequate quantity in all areas. He said, the policy addresses varietal development, maintenance of quality assurance of seeds, efficient seed distribution and marketing strategies, procedure of screening of transgenic varieties for commercial exploitation etc.

On the use of fertilizers, Shri Ajit Singh said, during the Tenth Five Year Plan Organic farming is proposed to be given special thrust. He said, a National Project on Organic Farming is proposed to be implemented for ensuring production, promotion, and market development and quality regulation of organic farming in the country. The Minister said, under this scheme, a National Institute of Organic Farming will be set up with 7 sub-centres to undertake extensive promotion of organic farming in the country. The Minister said, the setting up of compost plants for conversion of municipal solid wastes into good quality manures is being promoted now through financial assistance under Macro Management Scheme.

Shri Ajit Singh said, the existing insecticides Act, 1968 as well as rules framed under the Act are proposed to be further amended to ensure proper quality control of pesticides and to facilitate the industry. Keeping in view the harmful effects of some pesticides, the pesticides are being reviewed regularly by constituting different expert groups/committees. He informed the members that so far 27 pesticides have been banned, the use of 10 pesticides have been restricted and 18 pesticides have been referred registration.

Referring to the drought situation the country the Minister said late rains in August and September have brought down the over all deficit to 17 percent. There have been major recoveries in many states. Reservoir levels in 70 major reservoirs have risen from barely 17 percent on 31st July to 51 percent as on 17th September. He said, large areas remain unsown with Rajasthan topping the list with 52 percent, 40 percent in UP and 30 percent Haryana. He apprised the members of the steps taken by the government. He said steps are being taken to maximize cultivation during the ensuing Rabi season for which preliminary prospects are encouraging, considering the September rains.

Participating in the discussion, members expressed their concern over the drought situation. They said in some places, the price of foodgrains has started rising causing further hardship to people. Members also suggested that long term programme should be drawn up for regions regularly affected by drought. They alleged that the guidelines issued by the Centre for implementation of these programmes are not being followed at the local level and the Members of Parliament are not being associated in implementation of the programme. There was also a demand for immediate steps for making lift irrigation points functional, wherever they are lying idle.

Those who attended today’s meeting are : Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri Chunni Lal Bhau Thakur, Shri Rattan Lal Kataria, Shri K.P. Singh Deo, Shri N. Janaradhana Reddy, Shri Ram Murti Singh Verma, Shri Devendra Singh Yadav, Shri Parsuram Majhi, Shri Mahboob Zahedi, Shri Ranen Barman, Shri Kalava Srinivasulu (from Lok Sabha), Shri M.J. Varkey Mattathil, Shri V.V. Raghavan and Shri G.K. Vasan (from Rajya Sabha).