This document discusses the importance of quality seeds in crop production and the seed production system in India. It outlines that quality seeds can increase yields by 10-15% and are vital for realizing returns from other agricultural inputs. The seed production system involves multiple agencies across the public, private, and cooperative sectors. These include the National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporations, State Agricultural Universities, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The system follows a generation-wise seed classification approach from Breeder Seed to Foundation Seed to Certified Seed to ensure genetic purity at each stage of multiplication.

1. Dr.P.SELVARAJU
Special Officer (Seeds)
Seed Centre
Importance of quality seeds in crop production,
generation system of seed multiplication in India
and agencies involved in seed production
Quality
seed in
field
Yields
abundantly

2. Seed is known as …..
Botanically Fertilized and ripened ovule
Structurally An embryonic plant together with
stored food, surrounded by a
protective coat.
Genetically Dormant plant, the link between two
generations
On usage Propagative material
In seed science, any material used for mass multiplication
for the purpose of reproduction is known as seed
What is a seed - source of life of a plant

3. Importance of seed
Seed is the vital and basic input in crop production
Through seed only, the investment made on other inputs like
pesticide, fertilizer, irrigation and crop maintenance can be
realized.
It is estimated that good quality seeds of improved varieties can
contribute about 10-15 % increase in yield.
A carrier of new technologies
A basic tool for secured food supply
The principal means to increase the production with available
land areas

4.  High genetic purity
 High pure seed percentage (physical purity)
 High germinability
 High vigour and stamina
 Free from pest and disease
 Good shape, size, colour etc.,
 Optimum moisture content for storage
The quality seed should have

5.  Genetic and physical purity of the crops
 Desired plant population
 Withstand the adverse conditions
 Seedlings - vigorous, fast growing and can resist pest
and disease incidence
 Uniform growth and maturity
 Development of root system will be more efficient that
aids absorption of nutrient efficiently and result in higher
yield.
 It will respond well to added fertilizer and other inputs.
 Ensures higher yield atleast 10 – 15 %
Significance of quality seed

6. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SEED AND GRAIN

7. Difference between seed and grain production
Seed production Grain production
Planned programme - start with
demand forecasting ends with
marketing
Need not be
Authenticated source is required to
raise a seed crop
Need not be
Specific land and field requirements Not so
Monitored for certification standards
and certified by the Agency
Not so
Proper post harvest technology
should be followed
Not so

8. Required Not required
Isolation

9. Necessary Not necessary
Roguing

10. Followed Not followed
Seed field
Field Inspection

11. Physiological maturity Harvestable maturity
Harvesting

12. Followed Not followed
Cob sorting

13. Required Not required
Grading
Should meet seed standard Not required

14. Profit
Profit

15. Classes of Seed
 Nucleus Seed
 Breeder Seed
 Foundation Seed
 Certified Seed
 Truthfully labelled seed

16. Nucleus Seed
 Initial handful of seed
 Obtained from selected individual plants of a
particular variety
 Produced by the originating plant breeder
 Further multiplication under his own supervision,
 or supervision by a qualified plant breeder
 It constitutes the basis for all further seed
production.

17.  Directly controlled by the originating or
sponsoring plant breeder
 Seed production is monitored by a TEAM
 Provides the source for the initial and
recurring increase of foundation seeds.
 Colour of the tag is Golden yellow.
 Genetic Purity: 100%
Breeder Seed

18. Foundation Seed
 Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed
or from foundation seed
 Foundation seed shall be supervised and
approved by the certification agency
 Shall be required to conform to certification
standards
 Genetic Purity: 99%
 The colour of the tag is white.

19. Certified Seed
 Certified seed shall be the progeny of foundation seed
 May be the progeny of certified seed provided this reproduction
does not exceed three generations beyond foundation seed stage I
 Not eligible for further seed increase under certification
 The colour of the tag is blue.
Genetic Purity
 Varieties: 98 %
 Hybrids: 95 %
 Hybrids of cotton, TPS, Muskmelon, Brinjal and Tomato: 90 %
 Hybrid castor: 85 %

20. Truthfully labelled seed
 If the seeds are not certified, seed which are above the
minimum limits of germination and purity are Truthfully
labelled.
 Truthfully labelling should conform to the limit of
minimum standards prescribed for the variety.
 Truthfully labelled seed is not field certified to assure
genetic purity but the seed standards are not lower
than the certified class of seed.
 The colour of the truthful label is opal green.

21. Difference between Certified and Truthfully labelled seed
Certified seed Truthful labelled seed
Certification is voluntary Truthful labelling is compulsory
for notified kind of varieties
Applicable to notified kinds only Applicable to both notified and
released varieties
It should satisfy both minimum
field and seed standards
Tested for physical purity and
germination
Seed Certification Officer and
Seed inspectors can take samples
for inspection
Seed inspectors alone can take
samples for checking the seed
quality.

22. Agency Class of seed
Quality control
system
Concerned breeder or
Sponsoring institution or
Breeder himself
NUCLEUS SEED
(No specified tag)
Maintenance breeding
Concerned breeder or
Sponsoring institution or Seed
Technologist
BREEDER SEED
(Golden yellow tag)
Breeder seed monitoring team
-field inspection to check genetic
purity-(Grow out test)
State Department of Agrl.,
National seeds Corporation,
Cooperative agencies,
Central and State Seed
Corporations, Private sectors.
FOUNDATION SEED
(White tag)
State Seed Certification Agency
-Field inspection and testing to check
minimum required physical purity and
other quality standards
State Department of Agrl.,
National seeds Corporation,
Cooperative agencies,
Central and State Seed
Corporations, Private sectors.
CERTIFIED SEED
(Azure blue tag)
State Seed Certification Agency
-Field inspection and testing to check
minimum required physical purity and
other quality standards
Farmer / Producer
TRUTHFUL LABELED SEED
(Opal green tag)
Farm use

23. 3 Generation System 4 Generation system 5 generation system
Breeder Seed
Foundation Seed
Certified Seed
Breeder Seed
Foundation - I
Certified Seed
Foundation Seed -II
II
Breeder Seed
Foundation Seed - I
Certified Seed - I
Foundaton Seed - II
Certified Seed - II
 Five generation system is followed when
• Multiplication is very poor
• Heavy demand
• Self – Pollinated Crop
Generation System of Seed Multiplication

24. Seed Replacement Rate
What? The quantity of quality seed that have replaced
the actual seed requirement of the location that
are normally produced by the farmer using their
own seed.
SRR : {x / y} x 100
Where x = Quantity of actual quality seed sown/
used in an area / location
y = Quantity of quality seed (certified) required
for the entire production area / location
USE
Give an idea on how much quality seed is used for
production of crops by farmers
Expose the requirement of quality seed for further
production

25. Seed Replacement Rate increase of important crops in Tamil Nadu
Year Paddy Maize Jowar Bajra Gram Urd
V H V H V H
2001 17.00 8.0 - 6.0 - 6.0 - 0.46 17.50
2002 15.00 8.0 - 4.0 - 6.0 - 12.50 12.50
2003 14.00 2.0 - 6.0 - 6.0 - 20.60 12.50
2004 12.00 1.0 - 1.0 - 26.0 100 3.50 18.50
2005 55.00 2.0 - 8.0 - 16 100 2.00 12.11
2006 56.00 2.0 - 6.0 - - - 5.50 11.90
2007 65.00 1.0 - 6.0 - 85.0 - 9.50 9.50
2008 67.00 70.0 - 11.0 - 91.0 - 5.00 42.00
2009 76.65 97.71 - 10.60 - 96.10 - 5.77 34.65
2010 62.70 83.13 - 9.93 -- 72.14 - 5.11 35.44
2011 67.98 - 97.87 16.44 - 3.68 - 89.72 46.74
Source: seednet.gov.in/

26. Seed Replacement Rate increase of important crops in Tamil Nadu
Year Moong Arhar G.Nut Soy
bean
Sunflower Cotton
V H V H
2001 13.70 6.0 5.0 20.0 50.0 - 15.0 -
2002 12.50 12.50 50.0 20.0 50.0 - 15.0 -
2003 12.50 1.50 5.00 20.0 50.0 - 12.0 -
2004 14.10 3.70 2.36 - 12.51 - 10.85 -
2005 9.00 2.70 3.20 - 14.10 - 13.80 -
2006 8.40 5.00 3.18 - 8.25 - 15.0 -
2007 9.50 9.50 5.00 - 50 - 15.00 -
2008 21.00 6.00 6.07 - 13 - 100.0 -
2009 16.79 16.38 8.73 - 4.25 - 66.42 100
2010 13.28 26.50 8.91 - 7.78 - 80.08 100
2011 21.53 94.87 12.05 - 36.68 - 87.90 109.
52
Source: seednet.gov.in/

27. How to improve SRR
• Adequate production and supply
• Affordable price
• Availability of seeds in correct time / sowing season
• Net work of marketing
• creating awareness among farmers about the benefits of
using good quality seeds
• Good storage
• Release of needy varieties and its popularization

28. SEED PRODUCTION
Seed
Seed

29. Agencies involved in seed production

30. Indian seed programme includes the participation of
Central and State Government
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
State Agricultural Universities (SAU) system
 Public sector
 Cooperative sector and
 Private sector institutions
Seed production system in India

31. Public Sector
Public sector includes:
National Seed Corporation (NSC)
State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI)
State Seed Corporation (SSCs - 28)
State Seed Certification Agencies (SSCA - 21) and
State Seed testing Laboratories (SSTLs - 107)
These corporations engage principally in production and
marketing of seeds of high yielding and hybrid varieties developed by
the public sector mainly high volume low value seeds.

32. National Seed Corporation (NSC)
 National Seeds Corporation (NSC) is wholly owned by Government
of India under the administrative control of Ministry of Agriculture.
 Established in 1963 to undertake production of foundation and
certified seeds.
 At present, it is undertaking production of certified seeds of nearly
600 varieties of 60 crops through its registered seed growers.
 8000 registered seed growers all over the country in different agro-
climatic conditions are undertaking seed production.
 Turnover for the F.Y. 2013-14 was 738.75 crores.

33. Objectives
•To ensure timely availability of quality seeds to
farmers by
Ensuring procurement of adequate quantity of breeder,
foundation & certified / labelled seeds.
 Undertaking inspections, quality checks and testing of
seeds at different levels.
 Ensuring availability of adequate seed processing and
storage facilities.
 Developing network of dedicated and competent seed
producers and seed dealers.

34.  There are 10 Regional Offices, 5 Farms and 73 Area Offices /
Sub-Units of the Corporation spread all over the country.
 In the seed production, emphasis is given for production of oil
seeds, pulses and hybrids including vegetables.
 NSC has established strict Quality Control procedure to ensure
supply of quality seed to farmers.

35.  NSC has established 5 Quality Control Laboratories, one
each at New Delhi, Secunderabad, Bhopal, Kolkata and
Pune to undertake seed testing to check the quality of
seeds.
 NSC is also involved in the production of Tissue Culture
Plants like Banana. It also undertakes supply of
seedlings / saplings of fruit crops through procurement
from the MOU Partners. Seed marketing is carried out
through three channels namely sale through
dealers/distributors, Govt.

36. State Farms Corporation of India
 Established in 1969, for the production of seeds of food grains,
fibre cops, oilseeds, plantation crops, fruits and vegetables in
various part of the country.
 Operates large-scale farms in all the States where State Seeds
Corporations have been set up (except Maharashtra).
 It participates in each State Seeds Corporation as a share holders
growers: Project regarding production of foundation and certified
seeds on behalf of National Seed Corporation and State Seeds
Corporations and act as a consultant for farm development plan of
the Agricultural Universities and other institutions.
Cont…

37.  Seeds are produced on 12 central government farms under the
control of SFCI. Some of these are Suratgarh and Jestar farms
in Rajasthan, Jhasugartha farm in Odisha, Jalandhar farm in
Punjab; Hisar in Harayana, Raichur farm in Karnataka and
Mizo Hills in Assam Cannanore farm in Kerala

38. National Seed Programme
 Based on Seed Review Team (1968) and National Commission on Agriculture
(NCA) (1971, 1976) the Government of India decided in late 1974 to reorganize
and expand the seed industry and launch a National Seed Programme with the
assistance from the World Bank.
 NSP- Phase l was implemented in 1975-76 with the actual production starting in
1976. During the first phase, State Seed Corporations were established in four
state namely, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
 This programme was further expanded during phase ll and State Seed
Corporations were established in another five states, namely, Karnataka,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha.
 The ICAR launched an All India Coordinated Research Project on seed called
National Seed Project in 1979-80 at 14 centres in Seed Technology Research
and an equal number of Breeder Seed Production Centres.
Cont…

39.  The seed programme of the country was further strengthened
with NSP- Phase IIl and State Seed Corporations were
established in another four States, namely, Assam, West
Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
 At present, the Breeder Seed Production (BSP) programme is
operating at 36 centres and Seed Technology Research (STR)
at 23 centres under National Seed Project at various SAUs and
ICAR institutes in the country.

40. State Seed Corporation
 Established in 14 States to widen the network of production and
distribution channels for certified seeds in the country on the lines
of Tarai Development Corporation.
 The main functions of State Seed Corporations are:
 (i) Production (ii) Processing (iii) Storage and (iv) Marketing of
certified seeds.
 They are not responsible for the production of breeder and
foundation seeds.

41. Tamil Nadu State Seed Development Agency – TANSEDA
 TANSEDA was formed based on the announcement made on the
floor of the Assembly.
 The agency was established on 10.4.2015 and is registered as a
RSociety in Serial Number 101/2015, under the Tamil Nadu
Societies egistration Rule, 1978, Tamil Nadu Act 27 of 1975.
• Produce and distribute quality seeds of all crops required as per
the Seed Replacement Ratio.
• Plan the seed supply chain to maintain required seed material.
• Monitoring the Seed Supply Position for timely availability to
farmers at affordable price by formulating an uniform price policy.
• Monitoring, reviewing and release of funds as and when required.
Objectives

42.  State Seed Certification Agency

43. Seed Certification
• It is legally sanctioned system for quality control during
seed multiplication and production.
• It involves field inspection, pre and post harvest control
and seed quality tests.
Purpose :
Maintain and make available the good quality
seeds and propagating materials to the farmers

44. Seed Certification procedures
 Receipt and scrutiny of application
 Verification of seed source
 Field inspection
 Post harvest supervision of seed crops
 Seed sampling and testing
 Labelling, tagging, sealing and grant of certificate

45. SEED TESTING
State Seed testing laboratories

46. Private sector
Currently 550 private seed companies, together with a few
multinational companies, focus on low volume, high value
crops mainly on producing hybrid seeds for sunflower,
maize, cotton and vegetable crops.
The private sector accounts for more than 60-70 per cent of
the market in terms of market turnover whereas the public
sector has the greater share in terms of volume sales.

47. The private companies are categorized as:
• Seed Giant – Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta etc.
• Mid Size growing Companies – Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd,
MAHYCO, Advanta India Ltd., JK Agri Genetics Ltd.,
US Agri Seeds, Shriram Bioseed Genetics Ltd. etc.
• Mid Size Constant Market Share Companies –
Krishidhan Seeds, Ganga Kaveri Seeds, Ajeet Seeds,
CP India Ltd etc.
• Small Size Companies – Yashosa Seeds, Doctor Seeds
etc.

48. Monsanto Bayer Syngenta MAHYCO Rasi
seeds
Origen USA Leverkusen,
Germany
Basel, Switze
rland
Maharashtra Attur,
Salem
Started 1901 1863 2000 1964 1973
Major
crops
Alfalfa
Canola
Corn
Cotton
Sorghum
Soybeans
Sugarbeets
Wheat
Cotton
Fruit &
Vegetables
Corn
Oilseeds
Rice
Soybeans
Wheat
Sugarbeets
Sugarcane
Cereals
Corn
Oilseeds and
Sugarbeet
Rice
Soybean
Sugarcane
Vegetables
Cotton,
Maize,
Paddy,
Bajra,
Wheat
and
Vegetables
Cotton,
Maize,
Paddy,
Bajra,
Wheat,
Mustard,
Sunflower
and
Vegetables
Annual
revenues
US$
14.861 billio
n
€39.76
billion
US $15.134
billion
Rs 690
crore
Rs 392
crore

49. Nuziveedu
Seeds
Ganga
Kaveri
Seeds
Krishidhan
Seeds
Ajeet
Seeds
Shriram
Bioseed
Genetics
Origen Hyderabad,
India
AP, India Maharashtra,
India.
Maharashtra
, India.
Hyderabad
, India
Started 1973 1983 1996 1986 1999
Major
crops
Cotton,
Maize,
Paddy,
Sorghum,
Bajra,
Wheat,
Mustard,
Sunflower
and
Vegetables
Cotton,
Maize,
Paddy,
Sorghum,
Bajra,
Wheat,
Mustard and
Sunflower
Cereals
Corn
Oilseeds
Rice
Soybean
Sugarcane
Vegetables
Cotton,
Maize,
Paddy,
Bajra,
Wheat and
pea nut
Cotton,
Maize,
Paddy,
Bajra,
Wheat,
Mustard,
Sunflower
and
Vegetables

50. Indian Seed Industry Current Status and
Future Growth
Indian seed Industry, is currently occupying the
6th position with nearly 9000 Crore turnover.
Past five years Indian Seed Industry has been growing
at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12%
compared to global growth of 6-7%.
In value terms the major growth has come from the
increased adoption of Bt cotton hybrids, single cross
corn hybrids and hybrid vegetables.

51. Cont.,
The volume growth has mainly come through increased
Seed Replacement Rate in crops like Paddy and Wheat.
Indian seed industry is undergoing wide ranging
transformation including increased role of private seed
companies, entry of MNCs, joint ventures of Indian
companies with multinational seed companies.
India is endowed with second largest area of farmland, and
the largest area of irrigated land, in the world and with its
huge germplasm diversity, its seed industry is well placed
to serve both domestic and international markets.

52. Indian seed market
• 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.

53. India’s present export of fruits and vegetables seeds
decreased in volume but increased with value
Year Qty. Value (Rs. Lakh)
2012-13 17,168.03 34,772.43
2013-14 17,816.75 41,053.74
2014-15 12,499.32 42,703.83
Source: APEDA, 2013, DGCIS Annual Export
Export of Fruits & Vegetables Seeds in India

54. Central seed
Certification Board
National Seed
Corporation
Central Seed
Testing Laboratory
Central Committee on Crop
Notification Standards and
Release of Variety (1964)
Variety Release
Seed
Certification
Seed Law
enforcement
Seed
production
Seed Testing
State seed
certification
Seed
Inspection Public Co-
operative
Private State Seed
Testing
Laboratory
State Variety Release
Committee (State Seed
Sub-Committee)
Government of India (Ministry of Agriculture)
Central Seed Committee
Structure of Seed Industry as per Seed Act (1966)

55. Conclusion
•The Indian seed industry, over the years, has evolved by
adopting and innovating scientific advancements in variety
development with quality seed production.
•Indian seed industry has evolved to become the sixth largest in
the world. This has made tremendous contribution to increase
productivity.
•The seed regulations are to be implemented strictly to ensure
supply of quality seeds and to protect the farmers from spurious
seeds with IPR.
•Government has to reduce limits on import and export of quality
seeds and planting materials.

56. • Encouragement by the Government resulted in direct
Investments by the private individuals, Indian Corporate and
MNCs in the Indian seed business with strong R&D base for
product development with more emphasis on high value
hybrids.
• There is large scope for growth of seed industry as the quality
seed requirements in many crops has not been met.
Conclusion

57. PlantPlant starts life with astarts life with a SEEDSEED
PlantPlant ends life with manyends life with many SEEDSEEDSS