Centre monitoring seed agencies to ensure adequate supplies during rabi sowing

Following complaints from Karnataka of shortage of seeds, especially of chana or chickpea, in the ongoing rabi season, the Centre has swung into action to arrange adequate supply in the State and also ensure that seed agencies and producers honour the agreements made with all States.

“We got a complaint from Karnataka a few days ago that the State was not getting adequate supply of seeds, including chana. We promised that we would take care of its problem, made an intervention at the level of seed agencies and arranged for the seeds,” an Agriculture Ministry official told BusinessLine .

Timely availability of seeds and fertilisers during the sowing season is a crucial requirement for a good crop and delays could cause huge losses to farmers.

“There are times when seed agencies go back on their word and do not want to deliver the promised amount to States as they hope to get a better price elsewhere. This is when the Centre intervenes and ensures that the promised quantities of seed are delivered, like in the case of Karnataka this time,” the official said.

The Karnataka Agriculture Minister recently met officials from the Agriculture Ministry at the Centre and all problems were taken care of, the official added. States make an indent stating the quantity of seed they would require and place it with seed distribution agencies such as the National Seed Corporation and various State seed development corporations. These agencies may produce the seed or they enter into agreements with other producers including farmers, procure the seed from them by paying for it, get the seeds certified and supply to States. The States then sell the seeds to the farmers.

“Now that the sowing season for the rabi crop is in full swing, our officials are regularly holding meetings with all seed agencies to monitor if disbursals are being made as per commitments. Wherever discrepancy is noticed, action will be taken,” the official said.

Similar monitoring is done for all farm inputs including fertilizers and pesticides. “There is enough availability of all crucial farm inputs this season. We don’t expect any serious shortage to crop up for any input,” the official added.

Sowing of rabi crops begins from October and goes on till December for most crops while April is harvest time. Rabi crops include wheat, maize, millets, pulses and oilseeds.