During the year 2015-16 a total quantity of 343.52 lakh quintals of certified/quality seeds were produced and made available

Government has made adequate arrangements to improve production and distribution of certified/quality seeds to farmers including small and marginal farmers at reasonable rates through various crop development programmes /schemes. The details are given below. During the year 2015-16 a total quantity of 343.52 lakh quintals of certified/quality seeds were produced and made available against the requirement of 337.09 lakh quintals.

India follows a well established seed generation system of production of seeds from Breeder Seeds to foundation and then certified seeds. To produce adequate quantity of certified/quality seeds of suitable varieties for various agro climatic zones of the country, 86213.25 quintals of Breeder Seed was produced by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Institutes and State Agricultural Universities in 2014-15. Based on indents received both from the public sector (including State Governments) and private industry, 68517.74 quintals was allocated to all the seed producers in 2015-16 for production of adequate quantity of certified/quality seeds.

Details of Assistance/Subsidy for seed production and distribution provided under various existing Schemes/Programmes implemented by States

Sl. No.	Scheme/Component	Crop	Scale of Assistance
1.	National Food Security Mission(NFSM)	Rice	a) Rs.5000/- per quintal or 50% of seeds cost whichever is less for certified hybrid rice seed distribution. b) Rs.10/- per kg. or 50% of the cost, whichever is less for certified high yielding varieties certified seed distribution for less than 10 years old varieties.
		Wheat	Rs.10/- per kg. or 50% of the cost whichever is less for certified high yielding varieties seed distribution for less than 10 years old varieties.
		Pulses	Rs.2500/- per quintal or 50% of cost whichever is less for certified seeds distribution for less than 10 years old varieties.
		Coarse cereals- HYVs seed Hybrid seed	HYVs Rs.1500/- per quintal or 50% of cost whichever is less for HYVs certified seeds distribution for less than 10 years old varieties.
		Coarse cereals- HYVs seed Hybrid seed	Rs. 5000/- per quintal or 50% of cost of seeds whichever is less for Hybrid coarse cereal certified seeds distribution for less than 10 years old varieties.
		Commercial Crops-Jute based cropping system Seed Village Programme and Production of seed in Govt. Farms	a) Seed production b) Production of breeder seed @Rs.20000/qtl. c) Production of certified Seeds 50% of the cost limited to Rs.120/- per kg for foundation seed production. d) Rs.50/- per kg for certified seed production. e) Rs.5500/qtl. for certified seed produced by State Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Universities, KVKs, SSCs, NSC and SSCA.
		Commercial Crop – Sugarcane	Assistance for breeder seed production @Rs.40000/ha.(Rs.34000 for inputs and Rs.6000 for contingency) to SAUs, ICAR and Sugarcane Research “Institute (SRI) Production of tissue culture raised plantlets/ seedlings @Rs.3.5 per seedling.
2	Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI)	Rice and Wheat	Distribution of seeds a) Rs.5000/- per quintal or 50% of seeds cost whichever is less for certified hybrid rice seed distribution. b) Rs.10/- per kg. or 50% of the cost, whichever is less for certified high yielding varieties certified seed distribution for less than 10 years old varieties.
		Rice and Wheat	Production of seeds The assistance for production of seeds @ Rs. 1,000 per qtl. for HYVs of paddy and wheat and Rs. 5,000 per qtl.for paddy hybrid for less than 10 years old varieties from the year 2015-16. Out of this, 75% amount of subsidy is meant for farmers and 25 % to seed producing agencies for meeting expenditure including certification cost.
3.	National Mission on Oil Seeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)	All oilseeds, Hybrid seeds Oil Palm Sprouts Cultivation cost as assistance for gestation period for oil palm.	a) Full cost for purchase of Breeder Seed of oilseeds from ICAR/SAUs etc. b) 50% of the cost with a ceiling of Rs. 25 per Kg. of certified seeds except sesame which are not older than 10 years for distribution and Rs. 5000/- per quintal for hybrids and variety of sesame not older than 15 years. c) Full cost of Seed Minikits of high yielding varieties/hybrids which are less than 10 years. (Implementing agency NSC /NAFED/KRIBHCO etc). d) 85% of cost of planting material with a ceiling of Rs. 8000/ha. for entire land holding of farmers for oil palm. e) 50% cost during gestation period for 4 years with ceiling of Rs. 16000/ per ha. for oil palm.
		Assistance for production of Foundation Seeds	Rs. 1000 per quintal for all verities / hybrids released during last 10 years and additional assistance of Rs. 100/quintal on the varieties /Hybrids released in last 5 years. 75% of subsidy amount is meant for farmers and 25% for seed producing agencies for meeting expenditure towards certification and production etc. (SDAs/NSC/ NAFED/ KRIBHCO/ IFFCO/HIL/IFFDC/Central Multi State Cooperatives such as NCCF)
		Assistance for production of Certified Seeds	a. Rs. 1000 per quintal for all varieties / hybrids released during last 10 years and additional assistance of Rs. 100/- quintal on the varieties. Hybrids released in last 5 years, 75% of subsidy amount is meant for farmers and 25% for seed producing agencies for meeting expenditure towards certification and production etc. (SDAs/NSC/NAFED /KRIBHCO /IFFCO/HIL/IFFDC/Central Multi State Cooperatives such as NCCF)
4.	Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)	All Crops	All activities including Seed Infrastructure
5.	National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET)-Sub- Mission on Seeds & Planting Material (SMSP)	Seed Village Programme -All Agricultural Crops (60% GOI and 40% State Share)	a. Distribution of Seeds To upgrade the quality of farmer saved seed financial assistance for distribution of foundation / certified seeds @ 50% cost of the seeds for Cereals crops and 60% for oilseeds, pulses, green manure and fodder crops is provided for 1 acre of area per farmer for production of quality seeds. b. Farmers Training- Assistance to train the farmers on seed production and seed technology @ Rs.15000/- for a group of 50-150 farmers. c. Seed treating/dressing drums - Financial assistance for treating seeds @ Rs.3500 per seed treating drum of 20Kg capacity and Rs. 5000 per drum of 40Kg capacity. d. Storage bins To encourage farmers to develop storage capacity of appropriate quality, financial assistance is provided to farmers for purchasing Seed Storage bins. The rate of assistance is as under. @33% for SC/ST farmers for 10 qtls. capacity Rs.1500 @33% for SC/ST farmers for 20 qtls. capacity Rs.3000 @25% for General farmers for 10 qtls. capacity Rs.1000 @25% for General farmers for 20 qtls. capacity Rs.2000
		Certified Seed Production of oilseeds, pulses, green manure and fodder crops through Seed Village (60% GOI and 40% State Share)	A Distribution of Seeds- financial assistance for distribution of foundation seeds @ 75% cost of the seeds of oilseeds, pulses, green manure and fodder crops is provided to the farmers. Farmers Training - Assistance to train the farmers on seed production and seed technology @ Rs.15000/- for a group of 50-150 farmers. Certification Charges- 50% Seed Certification charges maximum of Rs.600/ha or actual whichever is less for certification of seeds produced under the programme. Seed processing and seed storage godowns-Assistance is provided to establish seed processing and prefabricated or other type of seed storage godowns 150 sqm. @ Rs.10000 per sqm. to process and store 200 MT capacity for each seed village. Financial assistance of Rs.7.56 lakh is available for seed processing machinery and supporting equipments etc.
6.	Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) Seed production for vegetables and Spices	Open pollinated crops Hybrid seeds Seed infrastructure	@ Rs. 35,000/ha - For public sector 100%, for private sector 35% in general areas and 50% in NE & Himalayan States, Tribal Sub Plans (TSP) areas, Andaman & Nicobar & Lakshadweep Islands, limited to 5 ha. Output target of seed for each crop will be fixed by the individual state. @ Rs. 1.50 lakh/ha- For public sector 100%. For private sector 35% in general areas and 50% in NE & Himalayan States, TSP areas, Andaman & Nicobar & Lakshadweep Islands, limited to 5 ha. Output target of seed for each crop will be fixed by the individual state for each beneficiary, before releasing funds. vii) Import of planting material Rs. 100.00 lakh -100% of cost for State Govt. / PSUs, as project based activity. Seed infrastructure (for handling, processing, packing, storage etc. of seeds meant for use as seed material for cultivation of horticulture crops) @Rs. 200.00 lakh- 100% of cost to public sector For private sector, credit linked back subsidy @ 50% of cost of project.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in Lok Sabha today.

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Promotion of Bio-Fertilizers

The total requirement of various bio-fertilizers that are required for seed/root treatment and soil is estimated to be about 0.426 million ton, based on net cultivated area. Government is promoting bio-fertilizers through various schemes of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)/ Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Indian Council of Agricultural Sciences (ICAR). The pattern of assistance is given below. The detailed state wise production of organic fertilizer in the country is given below.

The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) under Network project on Organic Farming is undertaking research to develop location specific organic farming package of practices for crops and cropping systems. Presently, the project is being implemented in 20 centres located in state covering 16 States. Organic farming package of practices for 18 crops/cropping systems have been developed. Besides, under ICAR’s Network project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertiliser has developed improved and efficient strains of biofertiliser specific to different crops and soil types. Liquid Biofertiliser technology with higher shelf life has also been developed. The Council has developed technologies to prepare various types of organic manures such as phospho compost, vermi compost, municipal solid waste compost, bio-enriched compost etc. from various organic wastes. The ICAR also imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers on all these aspects.

A. National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)-Organic & INM Component of Soil Health Management (SHM):

1. Setting up of State of art liquid/ carrier based Biofertilizer/ Biopesticide units, 100% Assistance to State Govt/Govt. Agencies upto a maximum limit of Rs.160.00 lakh /unit and 25% of cost limited to Rs.40 lakh/unit for individuals/ private agencies through NABARD as capital investment of 200 TPA production capacity.

2. Setting up of Bio-fertilizer and Organic fertilizer testing Quality Control Laboratory (BOQCL) or Strengthening of existing Laboratory under FCO, assistance up to maximum limit of Rs. 85 lakh for new laboratory and up to a maximum limit of Rs. 45 lakh for strengthening of existing infrastructure to State Government Laboratory under Agriculture or Horticulture Department.

3. Promotion of Organic Inputs on farmer’s field (Manure, Vermi-compost, Bio-Fertilizers Liquid / solid, Waste compost, Herbal extracts etc.), 50 % of cost subject to a limit of Rs. 5000/- per ha and Rs. 10,000 per beneficiary. Propose to cover 1 million ha area.

B. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): It is the first comprehensive scheme launched by the Central Government as a centrally sponsored programme (CSP). The scheme is implemented by the State Governments on a cluster basis of 20 hectare each. The farmer within the cluster is given financial assistance upto a maximum of 1 ha and the limit of assistance is Rs.50,000 per ha during the conversion period of 3 years. The target is to promote 10,000 clusters covering 5 lakh acres over the period of 3 years, 2015-16 to 2017-18. Further, following assistance is given for procuring liquid bio-fertilizer and bio-pesticides:

1. Liquid Bio-fertilizer consortia (Nitrogen fixing/ Phosphate Solubilizing/ potassium mobilizing bio-fertilizer) @ Rs.500/acre x 50 of Rs.25000 per cluster in first year.

2. Liquid Biopesticides (Trichoderma viridae, Pseudomonas, fluorescens, Matarhizium, Beaviourie bassiana, Pacelomyces, verticillium) 2 Rs.500/ acre x 50 of Rs.25000 per cluster in second year.

C. National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): Financial assistance is being provided for different type of components including bio-fertilisers, Supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/ Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB)/ Azatobacter/ Mycorrhiza and vermi compost.

D. National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Under NFSM, financial assistance is provided for promotion of Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium/PSB) @50% of the cost limited to Rs.300 per ha.

E. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): Organic Farming projects are considered by respective State Level Sanctioning committee

F. Indian Council of Agricultural Sciences (ICAR): The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), Pusa under Network project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertiliser has developed improved and efficient strains of biofertiliser specific to different crops and soil types. Liquid Biofertiliser technology with higher shelf life has also been developed. The ICAR also imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers on all these aspect.

Sl. No.	State	2013-14		2014-15
South Zone			Carrier based (MT)		Liquid (KL)
	A & N Islands	0		0.0000		0.0000
2	Andhra Pradesh	2714.22		2668.8000		274.8560
3	Daman & Diu	0		0.0000		0.0000
4	Karnataka	9907.337		16462.6200		23.0561
5	Kerala	3520.66		4916.9700		10.5096
6	Lakshadweep	0		0.0000		0.0000
7	Pondicherry	516.98		560.9500		1.4976
8	Tamil Nadu	14104.83		15373.2900		11.3017
	Total	30764.027		39982.6300		321.2210
West Zone
1	Chhattisgarh	712.07		1024.680		9.620
2	Gujarat	6411.434		3667.929		2800.500
3	Goa	66.26		802.520		0.000
4	Madhya Pradesh	4824.194		2637.990		119.216
5	Maharashtra	6218.607		14847.397		324.767
6	Rajasthan	1315		599.898		0.000
7	D & N Haveli	0		0.000		0.000
	Total	19547.565		23580.414		3254.103
North Zone
1	Delhi	396		104.500		0.000
2	Chandigarh	0		0.000		0.000
3	Haryana	1146.483		872.955		46.489
4	H.P.	26.147		0.768		33.070
5	J & Kashmir	45.26		0.000		0.000
6	Punjab	2124.852		6305.453		74.278
7	Uttar Pradesh	2682.221		4099.068		98.036
8	Uttarakhand	5493.851		2129.952		208.034
	Total	11914.814		13512.696		459.907
1	Bihar	52.4		64.90		0.00
2	Jharkhand	14.2		9.08		0.00
3	Odisha	1097.61		1074.46		4.70
4	West Bengal	1682.7076		2061.83		14.63
	Total	2846.9176		3210.27		19.33
1	Arunachal Pradesh	59		59.000		0.000
2	Assam	149		88.000		0.000
3	Manipur	0		0.000		0.000
4	Meghalaya	0		0.000		0.000
5	Mizoram	4		3.600		0.000
6	Nagaland	7.45		7.450		0.000
7	Sikkim	10.1		12.400		0.000
8	Tripura	225		240.000		0.000
	Total	454.55		410.450		0.000
	Grand Total	65527.87		80696.45595		4054.563711