Two days “Regional Workshop cum Training on Seed Quality Control and Seed Testing in NEH Region under AICRP Seed (Crops)” was conducted at Hotel Imphal on 11th March, 2024.
       In the inaugural address Shri Thaithuilung Panmei, (IAS) Commissioner, Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur highlighted that Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Swaminathan pioneered in the country in popularization of high yielding seeds to safeguard from country food deficit and malnutrition. Production of good quality food is the prime requirement for making a healthy nation and increasing the longevity of life. He emphasized that we should pool the resources of the region by identifying the expertise and suitable crops among the North Eastern State for production of quality seeds.
       Shri R.K. Dinesh Singh, (IAS) Commissioner, Agriculture, Government of Manipur highlighted that food consumption requirement of the Manipur state is increasing every year with the increase of population. In Manipur during the year 2021-22, the food grain production was 5 lakh tonnes while the requirement was 7 lakh tonnes, leading to a shortage of 2 lakh tonnes still there is no increase in production. According to agriculture census 2021-22, the total cultivated area of the state decreased by 5 percent while land ownership increased by 21 percent leading to high fragmentation of land holdings. The land holding size has decreased from 1.14 hectare to 0.80 hectare. In such a scenario, the use of quality seed and increasing the seed replacement rate and variety replacement rate are to be emphasized. He stressed that we should increase quality seed production and it should be made available to the farmers at affordable price to increase the seed replacement rate. He emphasized that the result of good fertilizer and good management practices will be harnessed effectively by use of quality seeds. A stringent seed quality control measures should be adopted to provide the best quality seed as there has been complains of poor quality seeds.
       Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau, UP presented on the scenario of the national seed sector. He highlighted that availability of quality seed is the best solution to increase the income of farmers. The quality control is very low in the region and without quality control seed has no value. He decried on the system of tendering of seed by some of the state governments. He appreciated the efforts made by the workers of the AICRP Seed (Crops) in solving the unique issues of seed in the region.
       Prof. Ph. Ranjit Sharma, Director of Extension Education, CAU, Imphal stressed that poor connectivity and transport facilities are the main region for non-availability of quality seed. He mentioned that ICAR, CAU and Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Manipur, had released a number of varieties suitable to the local agro-climatic condition.
       Shri M. Iboyaima Meitei, Advisor (Horticulture), North Eastern Council, Shillong, Meghalaya emphasized that seed testing laboratory need to be established at districts level to supply the best quality seeds with disease free, high germination percentage so as to produce good crops by farmers. He pointed that NEC also supports in various development in Agriculture and allied sectors for the NE regions.
       Dr. Vinay Kumar Mishra, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya sought the attention of the policy maker of the region to rethink about quality seeds and planting materials. There is a need to be discussed with ICAR, CAU and state government to develop a roadmap for providing disease free seeds and planting material in the region.
       Dr. I. Meghachandra Singh, Principal Scientist & Nodal Officer, AICRP Seed (Crops), ICAR NEH Region stated that there is no formal system in the NEH states. The central government is giving thrust on organic production in the region and we are moving ahead toward organic production. Formations of seed certification agency along with organic certification activities like other states are need for the tiny hill states. In VIII plan, there was a proposal to establish an umbrella seed corporation and certification under NEC funding which did not click due to lack of initiation by the individual states. It is time to look into high value seeds in these states.
       Dr. Ramgopal Laha, Head of Regional Centre, ICAR Manipur Centre, Imphal appreciated the sponsors for contributing for successful organisation of the programme.
       The programme organized by the ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, Imphal along with support of Manipur Organic Mission Agency, Department of Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur and Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur and ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau, U.P.; and Central Agricultural University, Imphal. Dignitaries and representatives from various parts of the NE Region viz. Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim participated in the programme. The inaugural prorgamme was graced by Shri Thaithuilung Panmei, IAS, Commissioner, Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur as the Chief Guest. Shri R.K. Dinesh Singh, IAS Commissioner, Agriculture, Government of Manipur; Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau, UP; Prof. Ph. Ranjit Sharma, Director of Extension Education, CAU, Imphal and Shri M. Iboyaima Meitei, Advisor (Horticulture), North Eastern Council, Shillong as the Guests of Honour and presided by Dr. Vinay Kumar Mishra, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Umiam, Meghalaya. Dr. I. Meghachandra Singh, Principal Scientist (Seed Tech.) & Nodal Officer, AICRP Seed (Crops) ICAR NEHR gave the keynote address briefing the importance of such sessions to share the need of the stakeholder organizations and Dr. Ramgopal Laha, Head of Regional Centre, ICAR Manipur Centre, Imphal were the other presidium members. Altogether, 171 participants from the seven North Eastern states, Scientists of ICAR; Professors from CAU, Imphal; Officers and representatives from State Agriculture Department, Department of Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, etc participated in the programme.
       Experts and resource persons representing various organizations from North East states discussed on various issues covering overall Seed Scenario of the country and present scenario of seed quality control & seed availability in the NE states. As part of the programme, a panel discussion was also held wherein official from various organization and departments participated.
The deliberations arrived at the following points.   

• To establish an Autonomous Organic and Seed Certification Agency to be manned by separate staffs (Seed Inspectors) recruited exclusively for the purpose. Seed Certification Officer may be on deputation from the Department.
• Seed Inspectors assigned at District levels should not be transferred minimum of 3 years.
• To create a Revolving Fund for assured Buy-back of Certified Seeds from the farmers.
• To create a Corpus Fund (NEC/Centre: State: 90:10) seek one time Corpus Fund to meet the recurring expenditures that will generate Bank Interest of Rs.3.00 lakh per month.
• Should establish Seed Testing Lab as per requirement of seed standards, conforming to the standard as per Seed Act.
• Seed user departments should submit requirement of seeds one season ahead for planning production.
• State Governments should take a decision to place states seed requirement first to the Seed Certification Agency, if not available may place supply order to NSC Ltd.
• May plan for buy back arrangements with NSC for excess of production if any in the state.
• Creation of required infrastructure and equipment’s from the DAC F/W Government of India.
• Establishing of Umbrella Organization for the small North Eastern Hill States as was proposed during VIII Plan with necessary rectifications as per Seed Act and Rules.

Panel Discussion

Delegates gathering in Workshop