Indian Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated a new vegetable and flower seed processing and packaging unit of the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) at Pusa Complex in New Delhi.
He also virtually inaugurated five NSC seed processing plants located at Bareilly, Dharwad, Hassan, Suratgarh and Raichur.The new vegetable seed processing plant at Beej Bhawan, Pusa, New Delhi can process 1 tonne of seeds per hour, while the other five NSC plants have a capacity of 4 tonnes per hour each. The newly inaugurated facilities are equipped with advanced technologies to ensure the supply of high-quality seeds to farmers and to enhance seed production standards across the country.
During the recently conducted ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, the maximum number of complaints received were related to spurious and substandard seeds. Hence, ensuring the supply of quality seeds is essential, and NSC has a vital role to play in this. The government is taking strict measures in this regard
The Union Minister also launched the ‘Seed Management 2.0’ system, a digital seed-management system, alongside an online seed booking platform for farmers. Through this platform, farmers can book their seed requirements online for greater transparency and accessibility. He emphasised that it is important for quality seeds to reach small and marginal farmers.
Focus on Accessibility and Self-Reliance
Chouhan lauded the NSC team, calling their initiative a key building block for a self-reliant agricultural system. He noted that NSC not only supports livelihoods but also helps maintain national grain reserves, a critical component of food security.
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He urged the NSC to undertake innovations in regional languages in order to make its serivces more accessible to farmers and curb the arbitrary practices of private companies.
“Private players have their own role, but public corporations have their distinct importance. The functioning of State Seed Development Corporations also needs to be improved. Considering all these aspects, NSC should work with a clear roadmap”, noted Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The event was attended by Agriculture Secretary Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, NSC CMD and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Smt. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Joint Secretary Shri Ajit Kumar Sahu, and other senior officials from NSC and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
Seed processing plants play a vital role in strengthening the agricultural value chain by ensuring the availability of clean, high-quality, and high-yielding seeds to farmers. The advanced processing and testing technologies of these units can help in removing impurities, improve germination rates, and enhance the genetic purity of seeds.
These plants can directly contribute to higher crop productivity, reduced input costs, and better resilience against pests and climate variations. Establishing such modern facilities also supports self-reliance in seed production, reducing dependence on imports, and promoting sustainable growth in national agricultural value chain.
NSC’s Pursuit for a Modernised Seed Value Chain
The National Seeds Corporation is a Schedule B, Mini Ratna Category-I Company, fully owned by the Government of India. Established in 1963, the organisation produces and supplies quality seeds to farmers across the country. During the Green Revolution, the organisation was pivotal in ensuring the widespread availability of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds for wheat and rice.
According to NSC, their inventory includes certified and quality seeds for 80 crops and 900 varieties, covering cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, fodder, and a wide range of vegetables. The corporation also has a pan-India network that includes 11 regional offices, 48 area offices, 29 production centers, and 107 marketing centers. It also has a SAARC seed bank to address seed demand during natural calamities.
NSC can integrate advanced seed processing, quality assurance, and digital management systems to streamline the entire seed value chain. By leveraging technologies like automation, real-time monitoring, and data-driven forecasting, NSC can enhance efficiency from production to distribution.The integration can help NSC strengthen India’s seed sector and contribute to building a more self-reliant and productive agricultural ecosystem.