Need for promotion of seed growers stressed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 15 2026: The State Agriculture Department is taking up steps to develop and strengthen seed growers to reduce dependence on others for quality seeds, said the department's Director, Peter Salam.

He said this speaking at the launch of a training programme on "Strengthening of Seed Quality Control" at the Agriculture Directorate's premises at Sanjenthong, Imphal, yesterday.

The Agriculture Department is organising the training programme under the theme "Quality Seeds, Healthy Crops, Sustainable Future" .

35 seed growers nominated by the ICAR NEH Region Manipur Centre Lamphelpat, 35 seed growers nominated by the College of Agriculture, CAU Imphal, 20 seed growers nominated by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Thoubal, and 10 officials of the Agriculture Department took part in the training programme.

Speaking at the launch function, Peter Salam said outward financial drainage due to import of seeds is a challenge facing the State and affecting local farmers' economy.

To stop this drain of finance and dependence on firms outside Manipur for seeds, the State must develop and strengthen seed growers, he said, adding that the training programme is being held in line with this objective.

While Manipur produces a fair number of varieties of rice/paddy seeds, there are not many quality seeds for other crops such as mustards and other pulses, he said.

Noting that a seed certification agency has been registered as a society in July last and started functioning, Peter said, the department is encouraging local farmers to become seed growers and produce quality seeds.

Agriculture Department's Seed Analyst Dr Kh Nimaichand and KVK Wangbal's Senior Scientist and Head, Kh Premlata were present at the launch event.

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