76 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(4) Seeds
India has transformed itself from a subsistence economy and food importing country to
one, which is self-sufficient in foodgrains. Recognizing seed as the primary input for increasing
agriculture production, the Central Government established the National Seeds Corporation
(NSC) in 1963 and the State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI) in 1969 to encourage the
production and distribution of certified seeds of various crops. Thirteen State Seed
Corporations have also been established to supply improved seeds to farmers.
(5) Quality Control
The Seeds Act was passed by Parliament in 1966 to ensure that farmers get good
quality seeds. There is a Central Seed Testing Laboratory and 90 State Seed Testing
Laboratories functioning in various states/union territories. There are also 19 seeds
certification agencies. New varieties of seeds are notified by the Central Seed Committee.
About 1775 new varieties have been notified so far. This has been possible due to the
collection efforts of research scientists, seeds technologists, progressive farmers and
administrators involved in agricultural development.
(6) Breeder Seeds
Production of Breeder Seeds is organized by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research
(ICAR) through the concerned breeders and scientists on receipt of indents from the state
governments. The National Seeds Corporation (NSC) and State Farms Corporation of India
(SFCI) also produce Breeder Seed.
(7) High-Yielding Variety programme
This High-Yielding Variety programme was started in 1966-67 as a major plank
of agriculture strategy for increase strategy of increasing production of foodgrains in the
country.
The main objectives of the programmes for increasing food grains production during the
Seventh Plan inter-alia included the following:
(i) Achieving self-sufficiency if food grains with the complete elimination of imports;
(ii) Imparting greater stability of foodgrains production;
(iii) Acceleration of growth rate in production of pulses and coarse grains, and
(iv) Protection of the interest both of farmers and consumers through price support
and better distribution measures.
High-yielding variety programmes is supported by the Cental sector Scheme of:
(i) Mini-kit programmes of Rice, Wheat, Jowar, Bajra, Maize and Ragi,
(ii) Maize demonstrations in tribal/backward areas,
(iii) State-level training of extension workers.
Mini-kit Demonstration Programmes aims at popularizing newly released varieties
and getting the newly evolved varieties tested under field conditions. For this, all large
number of seed mini-kit containing 0.25 kg. 5 kg seeds are distributed at a nominal cost
to farmers.