Workshop stresses importance of quality seeds
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 11 2024:
ICAR, NEHR principal scientist and nodal officer of ACRP Seed (crops) Dr 1 Meghachandra has highlighted the importance of a seed corporation while stating that farmers of the state have been facing challenges in getting quality seeds due to absence of such facility.
Speaking at the inaugural function of a two-day regional workshop on 'Seed Quality Control and Seed Testing in North Eastern Hill Region under AICRP Seed (Crops)' organised by ICAR, NEHR Manipur Centre at Hotel Imphal, here, on Monday, Dr Meghachandra reminded that Seeds Act, 1966 envisages quality and testing standard seeds and regulate availability of quality seeds to farmers.
Even though the Act covers the state, proper implementation of the same is questionable as could be comprehended from absence of seed corporation and farmers facing challenges in accessing quality seeds, except for a handful of farmers.
At the same time, as establishing such corporation is commercially unviable in the state, the workshop aims to explore ways to ensure availability of quality seeds and send recommendation to the ministry concerned, he said.
Horticulture and soil conservation commissioner Thaithuilung Panmei and ICAR NEHR, Meghalaya director Dr Vinay Kumar Mishra attended the function as chief guest and president respectively while, agriculture commissioner RK Dinesh, ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, MAU, Uttar Pradesh director Dr Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, North Eastern Council, Shillong advisor (horticulture) M Iboyaima were present as guests of honour.