<–2/”>a >Seed is the true carrier of technology. In India, three sets of institutions produce seeds:research institutions and agricultural universities; public sector seed producing corporations; andprivate sector firms including multinationals. The last decade has seen two main developmentsin seed market. One, production of quality seed has risen at a rapid rate after 2005-06. And two,public sector has begun to effectively compete with the private sector.
Beginning with 2001-02, there has been a distinct change in the role of public sector inthe development of hybrid in all crops.While these changes have led to better availability of quality seed, seed replacement rate(Percentage of area sown using certified quality seeds other than the farm saved seeds from theprevious crop) remains low in the country. On Average, it is below 20 per cent in pulses and
below 30 per cent in paddy and wheat. Even now many farmers do not distinguish betweencommon grain and seed and use common grain as seed.3 Recent data on breeder seed productionindicated a drastic reduction of about 40% compared 2010-11. This is likely to impact thecertified seed availability in coming years. Another serious factor responsible for low use ofquality seed is sale of spurious seed in the market. In order to raise productivity there is a need tosupply and promote use of quality seed and also assure quality.
Some important initiatives have been taken under the recently amended New Policy onSeed Development. The policy permits 100 per cent Investment/”>Foreign Direct Investment under theautomatic route and simplifies the procedure for inclusion of new varieties in the Organisationfor Economic Cooperation and Development Seeds Scheme. The thrust is also on creating a seedbank. Since 2013-14, a Seed Rolling Plan has been in place for all the States for identification ofgood seed varieties and agencies responsible for production of seeds.
Several steps need to be taken to improve the quality of seeds used by farmers:
Sometimes prices of good quality seeds, especially hybrids, are high and farmersare unable to afford them. Creating community Seed Banks in producing areascan reduce dependence on market for seeds. The seed banks not only protect theexisting crop varieties but also ensure supply of seeds to the farmer to meetcontingency.
Proper storage of seeds is essential to get satisfactory germination. This factorassumes particular significance in the eastern region due to humid climaticconditions. Adequate-quality storage Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE according to agro-climateconditions and specific seeds to be stored, needs to be created to save the seedsfrom damage.
Huge demand supply gap exists in forage seed. The seed companies are notcoming forward for production of forage seeds. This is a major cause of concernfor development of Dairy sector in the country. The seed companies and StateAgricultural Universities have to take-up forage seed production on a prioritybasis. In parallel, the dairy cooperatives should be encouraged to grow forage seeds.
Regulatory measures for quality seed production have to be tightened so as todiscourage the sales of spurious seeds to farmers. The seed companies should bemade responsible for poor performance of seed supplied by them. The details ofseed traits should be displayed on seed packages and agency website. The seed companies should provide adequate compensation package for farmers in case ofgeneral failure of their seeds. Our research institutions must develop rapid testingkits for seed hybridity to allow quick seed testing, thus, enabling the detection ofspurious seeds at the time of sale.
Manure is organic matter used as fertilizer in agriculture. Manures improve the fertility of the Soil by adding organic matter and lots of nutrients, such as nitrogen that is trapped by bacteria in the soil. Higher organisms then feed on the Fungi and bacteria in a chain of life.
The use of organic manures (farmyard manure, compost, green manure, etc.) is the oldest and most widely practised means of nutrient replenishment in India. Prior to the 1950s, organic manures were almost the only sources of soil and plant Nutrition. Owing to a high animal Population, farmyard manure is the most common of the organic manures. Cattle account for 90 percent of total manure production. The proportion of cattle manure available for fertilizing purposes decreased from 70 percent in the early 1970s to 30 percent in the early 1990s. The use of farmyard manure is about 2 tonnes/ha, which is much below the desired rate of 10 tonnes/ha.
At the present production level, the estimated annual production of crop residues is about 300 million tonnes. As two-thirds of all crop residues are used as animal feed, only one-third is available for direct recycling (compost making), which can add 2.5 million tonnes/year. The production of urban compost has been fluctuating around 6–7 million tonnes and the area under Green Manuring is about 7 million/ha.
The Government is promoting the concept of the integrated nutrient supply system (INSS), i.e. the combined use of mineral Fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers. Farmers are also aware of the advantage of INSS in improving soil Health and crop productivity. However, the adoption of INSS is limited by the following constraints:
- increasing trend to use cow manure as a source of fuel in rural areas;
- increasing use of crop residues as animal feed;
- extra cost and time required to grow green-manure crops;
- handling problems with bulky organic manures;
- problems in timely preparation of the field when agricultural waste and green manure have to be incorporated and their decomposition awaited;
- poor and inconsistent crop response to biofertilizers.
,
Seed quality
Seed quality is a critical factor in crop production. High-quality seeds are essential for achieving good yields and high-quality crops. Seed quality is affected by a number of factors, including seed viability, seed purity, seed vigor, and seedborne diseases.
Seed viability is the ability of a seed to germinate and produce a healthy plant. Seed viability is affected by a number of factors, including storage conditions, temperature, and moisture. Seed purity is the percentage of true seed in a seed lot. Seed purity is affected by contamination with weed seeds, other crop seeds, and inert matter. Seed vigor is the ability of a seed to germinate and grow rapidly under adverse conditions. Seed vigor is affected by seed maturity, storage conditions, and temperature. Seedborne diseases are diseases that are carried on or in seeds. Seedborne diseases can reduce seed germination, seedling Growth, and crop yield.
Manure quality
Manure is a valuable organic fertilizer that can improve Soil fertility and crop yields. However, manure can also contain harmful pathogens and pollutants. Manure quality is affected by a number of factors, including manure composition, manure maturity, and manure safety.
Manure composition is the relative proportions of nutrients, organic matter, and other materials in manure. Manure composition varies depending on the type of animal, the diet of the animal, and the management of the manure. Manure maturity is the degree to which manure has decomposed. Immature manure can contain harmful pathogens and pollutants. Mature manure is less likely to contain harmful pathogens and pollutants. Manure safety is the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens and pollutants in manure. Manure safety can be improved by proper handling and storage of manure.
Seed supply
The seed supply is the quantity and quality of seeds available for planting. The seed supply is affected by a number of factors, including seed production, seed distribution, and seed demand.
Seed production is the process of producing seeds. Seed production is affected by a number of factors, including Climate, soil, and pests. Seed distribution is the process of getting seeds from the producer to the consumer. Seed distribution is affected by a number of factors, including transportation, storage, and Marketing. Seed demand is the amount of seeds that farmers and other users are willing and able to purchase. Seed demand is affected by a number of factors, including crop prices, government policies, and consumer preferences.
Manure supply
The manure supply is the quantity and quality of manure available for use as fertilizer. The manure supply is affected by a number of factors, including animal production, manure management, and manure demand.
Animal production is the process of raising animals for food or fiber. Animal production is affected by a number of factors, including climate, feed, and disease. Manure management is the process of collecting, storing, and treating manure. Manure management is affected by a number of factors, including land availability, water availability, and environmental regulations. Manure demand is the amount of manure that farmers and other users are willing and able to purchase. Manure demand is affected by a number of factors, including crop prices, government policies, and consumer preferences.
Seed and manure management
Seed and manure management are the practices used to ensure the quality and safety of seeds and manure. Seed and manure management are affected by a number of factors, including climate, soil, pests, and diseases.
Seed storage is the process of keeping seeds in good condition until they are planted. Seed storage is affected by a number of factors, including temperature, moisture, and pests. Seed treatment is the process of applying chemicals or other treatments to seeds to protect them from pests and diseases. Manure application is the process of spreading manure on land. Manure application is affected by a number of factors, including soil type, crop type, and weather conditions. Manure storage is the process of keeping manure in good condition until it is used. Manure storage is affected by a number of factors, including temperature, moisture, and pests.
Seed and manure legislation
Seed and manure legislation are the laws and regulations that govern the production, distribution, and use of seeds and manure. Seed and manure legislation are designed to protect the public from harmful pests and diseases, and to ensure the quality and safety of seeds and manure.
Seed certification is the process of verifying that seeds meet certain quality standards. Seed certification is required for some crops in some countries. Manure regulations are the laws and regulations that govern the management of manure. Manure regulations are designed to protect the Environment from the harmful effects of manure.
Seed and manure research
Seed and manure research is the scientific study of seeds and manure. Seed and manure research is conducted to improve the quality and safety of seeds and manure, and to develop new technologies for the production, distribution, and use of seeds and manure.
Seed breeding is the process of developing new varieties of seeds
Issues and challenges related with quality and supply of seed, manure
- What are the issues and challenges related with quality and supply of seed?
The quality and supply of seed are essential for agricultural production. However, there are a number of issues and challenges that can affect the quality and supply of seed. These include:
- Seed quality: Seed quality is important for ensuring that crops will germinate and produce high yields. However, seed quality can be affected by a number of factors, such as pests, diseases, and environmental conditions.
- Seed supply: The supply of seed can be affected by a number of factors, such as weather conditions, political instability, and economic conditions.
-
Seed access: Farmers in developing countries often have difficulty accessing quality seed. This can be due to a number of factors, such as the high cost of seed, the lack of infrastructure, and the lack of awareness of the importance of quality seed.
-
What are the impacts of these issues and challenges?
The issues and challenges related with quality and supply of seed can have a number of impacts on agricultural production. These include:
- Reduced crop yields: Poor quality seed can lead to reduced crop yields. This can have a significant impact on the livelihoods of farmers and the Food Security of communities.
- Increased costs: The high cost of quality seed can make it difficult for farmers to afford it. This can lead to farmers using lower quality seed, which can reduce crop yields.
- Environmental Degradation: The use of poor quality seed can lead to environmental degradation. This is because poor quality seed is more likely to be infected with pests and diseases, which can spread to other crops and damage the environment.
-
Food insecurity: The lack of access to quality seed can lead to food insecurity. This is because farmers who do not have access to quality seed are less likely to produce enough food to meet the needs of their families and communities.
-
What are the solutions to these issues and challenges?
There are a number of solutions to the issues and challenges related with quality and supply of seed. These include:
- Improving seed quality: There are a number of ways to improve seed quality. These include:
- Using quality control measures: Quality control measures can help to ensure that seed is free of pests, diseases, and other contaminants.
- Using good agricultural practices: Good agricultural practices can help to improve the quality of seed. These practices include using healthy seed, planting seed at the right time, and providing adequate water and nutrients.
- Increasing seed supply: There are a number of ways to increase seed supply. These include:
- Investing in research and development: Research and development can help to develop new varieties of seed that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental conditions.
- Providing subsidies for seed: Subsidies can help to make quality seed more affordable for farmers.
- Creating seed banks: Seed banks can store seed for future use, which can help to ensure that there is always a supply of quality seed available.
-
Improving access to quality seed: There are a number of ways to improve access to quality seed. These include:
- Providing extension Services: Extension services can provide farmers with information about the importance of quality seed and how to access it.
- Creating seed markets: Seed markets can make it easier for farmers to buy quality seed.
- Supporting farmer cooperatives: Farmer cooperatives can help farmers to buy quality seed in bulk, which can reduce the cost of seed.
-
What are the benefits of addressing these issues and challenges?
There are a number of benefits of addressing the issues and challenges related with quality and supply of seed. These include:
- Increased crop yields: Improved seed quality can lead to increased crop yields. This can have a significant impact on the livelihoods of farmers and the food security of communities.
- Reduced costs: The use of quality seed can reduce the costs of production. This is because quality seed is more likely to germinate and produce high yields.
- Environmental protection: The use of quality seed can help to protect the environment. This is because quality seed is less likely to be infected with pests and diseases, which can spread to other crops and damage the environment.
- Food security: Increased crop yields can help to improve food security. This is because farmers who produce more food are less likely to experience food insecurity.
-
Which of the following is not a challenge related to the quality of seed?
(A) The seed may not be viable.
(B) The seed may not be the right variety for the climate.
(C) The seed may be contaminated with pests or diseases.
(D) The seed may be too expensive. -
Which of the following is not a challenge related to the supply of seed?
(A) There may not be enough seed to meet demand.
(B) The seed may not be available in the right time or place.
(C) The seed may be of poor quality.
(D) The seed may be too expensive. -
Which of the following is not a challenge related to the quality of manure?
(A) The manure may not be fresh.
(B) The manure may not be the right type for the crop.
(C) The manure may be contaminated with pests or diseases.
(D) The manure may be too expensive. -
Which of the following is not a challenge related to the supply of manure?
(A) There may not be enough manure to meet demand.
(B) The manure may not be available in the right time or place.
(C) The manure may be of poor quality.
(D) The manure may be too expensive. -
Which of the following is not a way to improve the quality of seed?
(A) Use certified seed.
(B) Store seed properly.
(C) Plant seed at the right time.
(D) Use a good quality potting mix. -
Which of the following is not a way to improve the supply of seed?
(A) Increase the production of seed.
(B) Improve the storage of seed.
(C) Improve the distribution of seed.
(D) Increase the use of certified seed. -
Which of the following is not a way to improve the quality of manure?
(A) Use fresh manure.
(B) Use the right type of manure for the crop.
(C) Compost Manure before using it.
(D) Apply manure at the right time. -
Which of the following is not a way to improve the supply of manure?
(A) Increase the production of manure.
(B) Improve the storage of manure.
(C) Improve the distribution of manure.
(D) Increase the use of composted manure. -
Which of the following is the most important factor in determining the quality of seed?
(A) The variety of the seed.
(B) The viability of the seed.
(C) The purity of the seed.
(D) The health of the seed. -
Which of the following is the most important factor in determining the supply of seed?
(A) The production of seed.
(B) The storage of seed.
(C) The distribution of seed.
(D) The use of certified seed.