Maharashtra Seeds Information
Maharashtra Seeds Information
Maharashtra Seeds Information
Introduction :
Seed is the most cost efficient means of increasing agricultural production and productivity. Improved seeds
has a special place amongst all the inputs required for agricultural production. The use of inputs like irrigation,
fertilizers, pesticides depends on rainfall situation. This is not in case with of improved seeds. The farmers plan
and commit themselves purchase to the improved seed much in advance on set of season. The seed production
and distribution planning is thus different and much more important to the farmers. Till early fifties, most of the
farmers used to be largely independent in respect of seed. Taluka seed multiplication farms were established in
the IInd Five Year Plan with an object of producing foundation seed to be multiplied on the farms of registered
seed growers and made available to the farmers for general cultivation. With the advent of hybrid technology,
the seed scenario changed radically.
Signing of agreement by ICAR with Rockfeller Foundation to establish All India Coordinated Crop
Improvement Projects in 1957.
Release of first four hybrids in Maize in the year 1961, followed by Sorghum in 1962, Bajra in 1963.
Introduction of high yielding varieties of Wheat in 1964, Paddy in 1965 and Cotton hybrids in 1968.
Adoption of High Yielding Varieties programme by GOI in 1965 and ushering of " Green
Revolution" in mid sixties.
Establishment of National Seeds Corporation in 1963 for undertaking systematic production of
breeder, foundation and certified seeds and guidance to Seed Industry.
Passing of Seeds Act 1966 and adoption of Seed Rules 1968.
Establishment of Central Seed Certification Board in 1969.
Establishment of State Seed Certification Agency in Maharashtra in 1970.
Establishment of Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation in 1976 under NSP.
Establishment of autonomous Maharashtra State Seed Certification agency in 1982.
Introduction of New policy of seed development by GOI in October,1988.
Implementation of Seed (Control) Order 1983 with effect from July, 1994.
SEED RESEARCH :-
Seed research holds the key for sustained growth in crop yields. Seed sector is heavily dependent on research
which has to provide continue supply of improved seeds to keep pace with growing requirement. So far more
than 3,000 varieties have been notified under the Seeds Act 1966 in different crops at National level. The State
Seeds Sub- Committee has been constitutes under seed act which came into existance in the year 1969 has so
far released 183 hybrid and high yielding varieties of various crops for cultivation in Maharashtra.
Release of hybrids and High yielding varieties by State Seed Sub Committee since formation :-
Crop 1999-
1969-74 1975-79 1980-85 1986-90 1991-98 Total
group 2007
Cereals 11 11 18 21 16 20 97
Pulses - 01 12 09 16 19 57
Oilseeds 03 04 09 07 13 18 54
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Cotton 01 06 08 06 11 16 48
Total 15 22 47 43 56 73 256
In addition to the aforesaid varieties evolved by the Agril. Universities, the MSSC Akola has come out with
following research hybrids in the recent past.
The seed programme involves the participation of Central and State Governments, ICAR- SAU system, public
sector and private sector institutions. The seed sector in Maharashtra consists of Maharashtra State Seeds
Corporation, 194 Taluka Seed Farms and more than 150 Private Sector Seed producing companies. For quality
control and certification there are five seed testing laboratories each having capacity of testing 8000 to 16000
seed samples annually. 63 fulltime and 885 part time seed inspectors are appointed under Seeds Act,1966 and
Seed Control Order, 1983. There are 34931 sale points comprise cooperatives, private and public sector
institutions.
In Seed multiplication programme, actually, three kinds seeds are produced. These are breeder seed, foundation
seed and certified seed. The growth of these seed in Maharashtra is narrated as below.
Breeder Seed
Breeder seed is produced from nucleus seed. The seed quality standard of breeder seed like genetic purity,
germination capacity, physical purity and seed health are determined or controlled by the originating or
sponsored breeder. The breeder seed requirement in the State has increased manifold with the increase in the
use of certified seed. The production of breeder seed in the State has registered steep growth, the details of
which are as under.
SR. CROP
1980-81 1984-85 1989-90 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
NO GROUP
1 Cereals 21.24 1,274.47 998.19 909.65 2,534.41 2,008.64 997.57
2 Pulses 58.61 402.21 299.68 892.32 1,173.2 876.25 544.32
3 Oilseeds 66.7 291.19 1,681.48 1,411 1,719.58 816.43 594.11
4 Cotton 175.48 447.48 107.21 43.95 146.95 53.1 42.02
TOTAL 322.03 2,415.35 3,086.56 3,256.92 5,574.14 3,754.42 2,178.02
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1999-
SR. CROP 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
NO GROUP 2000
Foundation Seed :-
Foundation seed is the progeny of breeeder seed or foundation stage-I seed. Foundation seed is an intermediate
in the generation system of seed production by seed companies both Public and Private, Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Universities and also individual seed farmers for eventual production of certified seed.
The production of foundation seed went up from 10641 quintals in 1980-81 to 50133 quintals in 1998-99 and
86596 quintals in 2006-07. The details of which are as under.
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Certified Seed :-
Certified seed is the progeny of foundation seed or certified stage-I seed. It is the ultimate output of seed
production chain. Certifed seed production is undertaken by Public and Private Sector Seed Companies.
Department of Agriculture and seed growers. The production of certified seed in Maharashtra rase from 1.39
lakh quintal in 80-81 to 4.13 lakh quintals in 97-98 . The quantities produced in the State in the year 1980-81to
2006-07 are as under,
SR. CROP 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
NO GROUP
1 Cereals 3.06 2.50 2.74 2.58 2.73 3.68 3.09 3.41
Certified / labeled seed distribution prior to 1976 was done mainly through Government Institutions and total
quantum was less than 1 lakh quintals. The total seed distribution which was 2.29 lakh quintals in 1984.85 has
gone upto 10.22 lakh quintals in 2006-07. Thus, the certified /labeled seed use has tripelled in the last 20 years.
The achieved SRRs in most of the crops in S tate are ones above the targets fixed at national level. Barring
Groundnut and Gram crops because of higher seed rate per hectare and cost of seed is not affordable to small
and marginal farmers.
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Certified/ labelled seed distribution through private sector has also gone up considerably. There has been
fourfold increase in total seed distribution in the last 20 years. The private sector is leading in supply of hybrids,
where as public sector is leading in straight varieties. Recent seed distribution trend showed nearly 50 percent
share of private sector in total seed distribution.
The emphasis on seed production was given mostly on food, oilseeds and fibre crops. The vegetable and flower
seed production did not receive the attention it deserved. Advancement of seed technology, particularly the
tissue culture techniques, true potato seed, coupled with investment friendly environment have created
opportunities for entrepreneur to produce disease free and true to type saplings/ seeds in a big way. The
technology has obvious benefits for the farmers. As a result fifteen tissue culture units have become operational
in a recent years in M.S. producing disease free saplings of Banana, Sugarca ne, Strawberry, Gerbera,
Carnations, Roses etc. A true potato seed production unit has also become functional in the State. The quality
planting material produced with these techniques will have to be made available to the farmers to the largest
possible extent.
The crop research in vegetables and forage crops both in public and private sector has assumed greater
significance. A number of new hybrids and varieties are becoming available. The systematic efforts would be
needed to strengthen the production chain in order to reach the varieties to the farmers in shortest possible time.
New crops particularly Sunflower and Soyabean have been introduced and established in the state in the last
two decades. Inspite of impressive growth in production there is a considerable gap which remains to be bridged
between the actual yield obtained by the farmer and the potential yield. The area under soyabean and sunflower
would go up substantially, requiring certified seed in greater magnitudes.
To meet the food requirement of increasing population it is necessary to increase the foodgrains, Oilseeds and
agricultural production. As the potential for area expansion is limited, development and use of new varieties of
seed and ensuring their availability to farmers are of crucial importance to increase production. The seed
replacement rates of all crops will have to be stepped up. Special care will have to be taken to see that certified
seed use spreads in remotely accessible areas too.
Maharashtra has a rich tradition of taking lead in introduction of hybrids in different crops. This has led to the
development of strong seed industry. Following opportunities could be availed by the Maharashtra Seed
Industry which would help attain distinction for the State as a major seed producing State in the country.
A) Hybrid Rice : With the development of stable male sterile systems in India the possibility of hybrids has
become a reality. The emphasis on hybrid seed production technology by the Govt. and production of
commercial quantities of hybrid rice has further confirmed this possibility. Karjat rice hybrid varieties
developed recently by KKV,Dapoli holds promise to bring about remarkable improvement in the rice
productivity of the state.
B) Biotechnology in general and particularly the recombinant DNA technology offers a way for introducing
genes of non plant origin into plants which may be economic and add value significance for the farmers.
Technology for imparting insect resistance, particularly to Lepidopteran pests has been developed, evaluated
and is commercialised in the United States of America. A gene from bacteria Bacillus thuringensis which leads
to the manufacture of a protein has been cloned. This has been introduced into cotton plant by transformation
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with the use of a vector. The protein so manufactured by the gene in reference when ingested by above insect
leads to the perforation of the insect gut and death of the insect. This technology has tremendous potential.
Besides adding value, this leads to the reduction in pesticide use which is of great concern all over the world.
Such technologies are also being developed/have been developed for resistance to sucking pests (soft bodied
insects), fungal and viral diseases etc.
In the State context, this technology can find application in case of crops like Cotton, Pigeonpea, Castor, Potato,
Tomato etc. where Lepidopteran pests cause economically significant damage.
C) Technology for imparting tolerance to crop plants against certain class of chemicals like weedicides which
are bio-degradable have also been developed and can find application.
D) Technology for improving the shelf life of farm produce like tomatoes have been commercialised and have
potential for the Indian market.
There are other technologies which have specific relevance to food processing industry like increasing the TSS
in the Potato, Tomato, improving the quality of edible oil altering the structure of starch in Maize, Potato,
Cassava etc.
All these technologies will need to be delivered to the farmers as and when they are ready to be commercialised
and delivery through seed/planting material is the ideal and cost effective way. These developments offer
tremendous opportunities for the seed industry in Maharashtra.
Constraints in Production :-
Kharif Jowar area is mainly concentrated in Marathwada and Vidharbha regions. These regions
generally receive rains at the time of Kharif Jowar flowering to harvest stage resulting in blackening
of seed grains ultimately affecting the seed quality. This has shifting of Jowar seed production from
Maharashtra to Andhra Pradesh.
Uncertainty in production and supply of Breeder seed of All India Notified varieties.
Irregular production and supply of breeder and foundation seed of parental lines of public bred Maize
hybrids. As a result of this, Maize hybrids have not become popular in Maharashtra affecting certified
seed production and supply.
Paucity of public bred hybrids in Sunflower: This has adversely affected the certified seed production
and availability of Sunflower hybrid seeds in public sector.
Vegetable seed production by State Seed Corporation has remained at miserably low level compared
to private sector as a result of poor research back up.
The quality seed production and supply of Nagli and minor Millets, Mustard, Linseed and forage
crops has remained almost neglected; which need special attention henceforth.
Inadequate post harvest handling, processing and packaging research back-up specially in respect of
Soyabean.
Lack of financial arrangements for Buffer Stocking of breeder and foundation seed.
THRUST AREAS
The areas of concern for promoting certified seed use to the desired extent would be as under;
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I) Seed Production and distribution :-
1) The demand for different varieties must be based on a realistic assessment of the desirable and achievable
levels of seed replacement rates (SRR). While projecting the levels of SRRs which are to be achieved, there
must be a clear strategy and package of measures worked out to reach the desired levels of SRRs separately for
each crop for the state.
2) Quality breeder seed production is the key stone for the entire seed production programme. Though the
infrastructure for breeder seed production has improved significantly in recent years, there have been problems
with the quality of breeder seed notwithstanding the monitoring mechanism which are in place. It should be
ensured that breeder seed conforms to higher standards than those prescribed for foundation seed.
3) Cooperatives and non Governmental organizations should be encouraged to take up seed production
particularly in remote areas and for this purpose, subsidies which are available to Public Sector Corporation and
State Seed Farms should be made available.
4) Special production programmes may have to be taken up for production of seeds of Cotton, Horticulture,
Vegetables and Forage crops. These programmes would have to be effectively monitored to ensure that demand
of the seeds of these crops is met during XIth Plan. For horticulture crops, the emphasis will have to be on large
scale multiplication of planting material through tissue culture techniques. The existing tissue culture units will
have to attain economics of scale. It would also be necessary to develop Minimum Seed Certification Standards
for horticultural and plantation crops so that they can be brought under the purview of certification.
5) Seed Production has become a concentrated activity in many clusters. Seed production by the farmer requires
substantial investment and intensive management. It may be desirable to introduce a pilot scheme for seed
insurance. The GIC has already formulated a draft scheme for seed insurance and this could be the basis for the
development of a new scheme. By protecting farmers against losses due to natural calamities, seed insurance
will encourage more farmers to take up seed production. The crop insurance in which the designated area is
treated as the unit, for seed insurance, it may even be possible to treat individual holdings as units.
6) The private sector has started playing a significant role in seed production particularly for vegetable crops
and hybrids of certain cereals and cotton. It is necessary to give access to the private sector to term finance from
commercial banks for setting up seed production facilitie s. For this purpose, financing norms which are suited
for seed production need to be developed.
Seed Research:-
Seed research in the XIth Plan will take place in the context of a system of plant variety protection
and protocols on exchange of germplasm b ased on the convention of Bio-diversity and the
International Undertaking being prepared by the Commission on Plant Genetic Resource. Indian
breeders will have to thoroughly familiarise themselves with different aspects of the IPR regime so
that they can obtain effective protection for the varieties evolved by them
Research is necessary for prolonging the viability of functional life of different categories of seed
under different storage methods. Vegetable, flower, forage and fodder seeds should also rece ive
equal priority.
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Appropriate tests are also needed to be developed for ascertaining viability of the seed to guide seed
agencies and farmers. Treatment of seeds with different fungicides/pesticides for control of different
seed-borne pathogens is another priority area for research.
Research must also focus on a review of isolation distances, planting ratios and the generation of
data required for revision of minimum seed certification standards, grow-out test norms etc.
The applied research on following aspects need to be carried out to provide specific answers to the
present problems.
a) Off season seed production technology specially in the food and oilseed crops.
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17 Jowar Slection –3 MPKV 033-7.10.1994
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41 Paddy Karjat-1 KKV 025-3.2.1986
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65 Bajra ICTP-8203 ICRISAT 027-21.3.1988
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89 Wheat MACS-2496 MACS 0.31-9.9.1992
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113 Mug BM-4 MAU 030-9.9.1991
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137 Gram BDNG-797 MAU 122 E –6/2/2007
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161 Groundnut LGN-2 MAU 92 E-2/2/2001
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185 Soyabean JS-335 MAU 035-20.2.1995
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209 Cotton AK-5 PKV 019-17.10.1981
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233 Cotton PH -348 MAU 122 E –2/2/2005
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