Seed is the numero uno input for agriculture, which determines the response of all other inputs viz., irrigation, fertilizer and plant protection chemicals etc. In the significant advances that India registered in agriculture in the last few decades, the role of the seed sector has been substantial. The development of high yielding varieties/ hybrids of wheat, rice, maize, pearlmillet and sorghum in early sixties were the landmark beginning for development of the seed programme in the country. The World Bank assisted considerably for strengthening of Indian seed programme by launching NSP I in 1977-78 and subsequently NSP II in the following year. The ICAR along with its partner i.e. SAUs shouldered the responsibility of producing the breeder seed through launch of All India Coordinated Research Project on seed called ‘National Seed Project (Crops)’ in 1979-80 with two components viz. Breeder Seed Production (BSP) and Seed Technology Research (STR). The seed programme of the country was further strengthened with NSP III through World Bank assistance in 1989-90, which not only supported the ICAR and SAUs but also Department of Agriculture Corporation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Seeds Corporations, Seed Certification Agencies and Private Seed Industries to a great extent in production, processing and in providing quality seeds to the farmers.
(AICRP-Seed)
