The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) ensures timely availability of quality seeds and fertilizers by periodically assessing requirement and availability with States/UTs and concerned agencies through Zonal Conferences for Agricultural Inputs organized prior to each Kharif and Rabi season.
To make seeds available at affordable prices, financial assistance is provided for seed-related activities including distribution of quality seeds, creation of National Seed Reserve, strengthening seed infrastructure, farmer trainings, demonstrations and free distribution of minikits of new High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of pulses and Nutri-cereals under schemes such as National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). These interventions enhance productivity and help reduce cost of cultivation. Production of seed in public sector is also encouraged to ensure availability of quality seeds at affordable prices to farmers.
Further, to ensure fair pricing of Bt. cotton hybrid seeds, the Government has notified the Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order, 2015 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, under which maximum sale prices of Bt. cotton seeds are fixed every year.
Fertilizer requirement is assessed based on gross cropped area, irrigated area, past consumption pattern and soil fertility status and is intimated to the Department of Fertilizers to ensure seamless availability before each cropping season. The Government notifies the price of urea to ensure its availability at affordable rates.
Under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Fertilizers system, 100% subsidy on fertilizers is released to companies based on actual sales to farmers through Aadhaar-authenticated Point of Sale (PoS) devices at retail outlets, ensuring targeted subsidy delivery and no-denial supply of fertilizers at subsidized prices.
To regulate seed quality and curb the sale of spurious seeds, the Seeds Act, 1966, Seeds Rules, 1968 and Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 empower State Governments to appoint Seed Inspectors to inspect seed outlets, draw samples and take enforcement action including cancellation of licences, seizure of stocks, stop-sale orders and prosecution against violators.
In addition, the SATHI (Seed Authentication, Traceability and Holistic Inventory) portal has been launched to enable end-to-end digital traceability of seeds across the supply chain, enhancing transparency and helping prevent the circulation of spurious and substandard seeds during Kharif and Rabi seasons.
(b):The Government of India has notified Organic Fertilizers, Bio-Fertilizers, De-oiled cake, Organic Carbon Enhancer and Nano Fertilizers under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 to ensure regulated supply and quality of such Fertilizers.
Organic and bio-Fertilizer use is promoted through ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), which support farmers from production to certification and marketing. These schemes adopt a cluster-based approach with preference to small and marginal farmers, including those in aspirational districts, to develop sustainable organic value chains and improve farmers’ incomes. Implementation is carried out through State/UT Governments.
(c):Under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), assistance is provided to boost seed production of traditional varieties through:
Distribution of seeds at 50% cost
Seed production incentives of ₹1000 per quintal for cereals and millets and ₹2000 per quintal for pulses and oilseeds
Capacity building programmes
One-time assistance of ₹50 lakh for establishment of community seed banks
Further,under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001,farmers are encouraged to conserve and cultivate indigenous traditional varieties by:
Registration of farmers’ varieties with intellectual property protection (5241 varieties registered so far)
Recognition through Plant Genome Saviour Community Awards, Farmer Rewards and Farmer Recognitions (45 community awards, 69 rewards and 88 recognitions conferred)
