Seed is important component in agriculture. The India seed market size was valued atĀ USD 6.3 Billion in 2022Ā and is likely to reachĀ USD 18.08 Billion by 2031, expanding at aĀ CAGR of 12.43%. The share of the public sector in seed production in the country reduced from 42.72 per cent in 2017-18 to 35.54 per cent in 2020-21, while the share of the private sector grew from 57.28 per cent to 64.46 per cent during the same period. This shift also has an impact on types of technologies promoted, cropping pattern etc, as the private industry is mostly restricted to crops with hybrids, high value-low volume seeds. Ā At the same time, it also provides opportunities to build small seed enterprises which can fulfill the gap. It can be group enterprise like Farmer Produce Organisations or Individual enterprises. Ā Centre for Sustainable Agriculture has been working on building sustainable seed systems with focus on conservation and revival of folk varieties and land races, improved varieties selected for organic growing conditions, setting up of Value for Cultivation and Use data are generated for better choices, maintainance breeding and foundation breeding system which engages with FPOs and local enterpreneurs who produce and market seed.
This training is focus on building seed enterprises among FPOs and individuals. The key objectives are
- To strengthen the skills and knowledge of field extension staff, FPOs, farmers and enterpreneurs in the area ofĀ Ā quality seed production
- To demonstrate the various seed testing methods including field and lab based for seed quality assurance
- To bring awareness about the opportunities and challenges in see certification and quality control
- To bring an understanding of post-harvest, handling and management of seeds
- To create awareness and build skills on business planning, forward and backward linkages, legal compliances etc
The Learning Agenda
- Seed: An overview and principles of seed production
- Conservation, revival and maintainance Ā of traditional crop varieties
- Quality seed production of rice
- Quality seed production of maize and wheat
- Quality seed production of pulses and oilseeds
- Quality seed production of sorghum, bajra and minor millets
- Quality seed production of cotton
- Maintenance of varietal purity
- Seed testing and certification
- Seed processing and storage
- IPR and legal issues in seed production and marketing
- Entrepreneurship development