Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, presided over a national webinar on "Seed Chain Development" here today as part of the year-long Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. Tomar stated that the State Governments, in consultation with the Central Government, should develop a roadmap for the benefit of farmers over the next 10-15 years.
Tomar stated that farmers should be provided with high-quality seeds on a timely basis. State governments should strictly prohibit black marketing and the sale of fake seeds.
Tomar stated that we are all aware of the significance of seeds. If the seed is good, the produce, whether individuals or seeds for cultivation, will be good. The availability of good farming seeds increases production and productivity, resulting in higher income for farmers and a higher agricultural share of GDP, in addition to benefiting our agriculture and the nation's economy.
The Union Government's effort, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is to ensure that agriculture becomes the country's secure foundation. We must work together to complete the remaining task. Tomar stated that the entire seed chain should be properly streamlined to avoid problems for farmers.
Furthermore, crops whose seeds are in short supply in specific areas should be provided with those seeds in order to increase productivity. Planning should be done to ensure an adequate supply of seeds for crops such as pulses-oilseeds, cotton, and so on.
Tomar stated that the cooperation of state governments is also required for seed traceability in order to raise awareness among farmers across the country and allow them to make informed decisions about the seeds they use for their plantations.
According to Tomar, Prime Minister Modi's focus in agriculture is on increasing productivity while lowering costs. We must devise a strategy for farmers to obtain high-quality seeds at a lower cost, and the price gap between private and government agencies must be bridged.
On the occasion of the Amrit Mahotsav of the Nation's Independence, he said, everyone should reflect. Only by becoming AatmaNirbhar in terms of seed availability will we be able to supply other countries in large quantities.
Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, spoke at the event and said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's varieties of seeds should reach farmers at the grassroots level. In addition, states should work on all aspects of the agriculture sector in a planned manner at the district level, so that farmers do not face any problems.
In his remarks to the webinar, Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said that arrangements should be made to provide quality seeds to farmers all the way down to the Panchayat level, and that farmers should be educated about seed quality testing.
Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and other senior officers attended the event.
The webinar was virtually attended by senior officials from state agriculture departments as well as representatives from the Seed Corporations of the Center and States. Ashwini Kumar, Joint Secretary, hosted the webinar (Seeds). He stated that the government is working on establishing seed testing labs at the Panchayat level.
