Seeds Definition, Type & Government Scheme

Introduction

In agriculture, the fundamental input is the seed, which is more than just a mere grain. Unlike grains, seeds encompass living embryos nestled within supporting or food storage tissues. Seeds prioritize the biological essence, emphasizing the living organism within, whereas grains emphasize the economic yield of the supporting tissue.

Definition of Seeds

As per Seed Act 1966, Seed means any of the following classes of seeds 

• Used for sowing or planting, seed of food crops including edible oil seeds and seeds of fruits and vegetables,
• Cotton seeds;
• Seeds of cattle fodder;
• Jute seeds include seedlings, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, roots, cuttings, all types of grafts and other vegetatively propagated material, of food crops or cattle fodder.

The quality of Seeds should have the following characteristics,

• High Genetic Purity: 
  • Breeder /Nucleus – 100%
  • Foundation seed – 99.5%
  • Certified seed – 99.0%
• High Pure Seed Percentage ( physical purity)
  • Maize , Bhendi –  99%
  • All crops ( most) – 98%
  • Carrot – 95%
  • Sesame, soybean & jute – 97 %
  • Ground nut – 96 %
• Free from Other Crop Seeds
  • High germinability and vigour
  • Higher field establishment
  • Free from pests and disease and objectionable weed seeds
  • Good shape, size, colour etc., according to the specification of variety
  • High longevity / shelf life.
  • Optimum moisture content for storage
  • High market value.

Seed Replacement Rate (SRR)

• Measures how much of the total cropped area was sown with certified seeds in comparison to farm saved seeds. 
• Higher the Seed Replacement Ratio, higher is production as well as productivity.

Breeder, Foundation and Certified Seeds

• Breeder Seed: Progeny of nucleus seed of a variety and is produced by the originating breeder or by a sponsored breeder. 
  • Breeder seed production is the mandate of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Foundation Seed 
  • Progeny of breeder seed is required to be produced from breeder seed or from foundation seed which can be clearly traced to breeder seed. 
  • The responsibility for agriculture productivity of foundation seed has been  entrusted to the NSC, SFCI, State Seeds Corporation, State Departments of Agriculture and private seed producers.
  • Foundation seed is required to meet the standards of seed certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards, both at the field and laboratory testing.
• Certified Seed: Progeny of foundation seed and must meet the standards of seed certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards, 1988.
  • Its production shall be so handled as to maintain specific genetic identity and purity 
  • Certified seed may be the progeny of certified seed provided this reproduction does not exceed three generations beyond foundation seed stage-I.

Hybrid seed and Labeled Seed

• Hybrid Seed: Hybrid(certified) seed is the first generation resulting from the cross of two approved inbred lines, one of which is male sterile.

• Labeled Seed: The seed notified under Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, such seed sold in the market has to be labeled.

The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001

• In conformity with the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), 1978.
• This act also has sufficient provisions to protect the interests of public sector breeding institutions and farmers.
• The act recognizes the contributions of both commercial plant breeders and farmers in plant breeding activity.
• Rights under the Act
• Breeders’ Rights:
  • Exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export the protected variety. 
  • Can appoint an agent/ licensee.
  • May exercise for civil remedy in case of infringement of rights.
• Researchers’ Rights: 
  • Can use any of the registered varieties under the Act for conducting experiment or research. 
  • This includes the use of a variety as an initial source of variety to develop another variety but repeated use needs prior permission of the registered breeder.
• Farmers’ Rights
  • A farmer who has evolved a new variety is entitled for registration and protection in like manner as a breeder of a variety.
  • Farmers variety can also be registered as an extant variety.
  • A farmer can save, use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seeds of a variety protected under the PPV&FR Act, 2001.
  • However, Farmer shall not be entitled to sell branded seed of a variety protected under the PPV&FR Act, 2001.
  • Eligible for recognition and rewards for the conservation of Plant Genetic Resources of landraces and wild relatives of economic coordination of plants;
  • Compensation to the farmers for non-performance of variety under 
  • Farmers shall not be liable to pay any fee in any proceeding before the Authority or Registrar or the Tribunal or the High Court under the Act.

Conclusion

• Seed plays an important role in farming due to its characteristics, Seeds are not just inert grains; they contain living organisms crucial for plant growth. 
• Regulation ensures the quality, safety, and integrity of seeds, safeguarding farmers’ investments and ensuring consistent yields. 
• Recognizing the significance of seeds as living entities and implementing effective regulations is essential for sustainable agriculture and food security.