IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Truthful Labelled Seeds

2nd July, 2021 Agriculture

Context

  • The Centre asked the seed industry to bring in transparency in certification of truthful labelled seeds.

 

About

  • It is the category of seed produced by cultivators, private seed companies and is sold under truthful labels.
  • This type of seeds does not come under the purview of the Department of Seed Certification.
  • Rather, field standard and seed standard should be maintained as per seed act and certified seed stage.
  • Under the seed act, the seed producer and seed seller are responsible for the seed.
  • Truthful labelling is compulsory for notified kind of varieties and it is tested for physical purity and germination.
  • Notified Variety: After a variety has been released for a zone by the Central Sub-Committee, theDirector, HYV, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, GOI notifies the concerned authorities of the states within that zone for seed multiplication and distribution of variety. This is known as notification of variety.

 

Difference between certified seed and truthful labeled seed

Certified seed

Truthful labelled seed

Certification is voluntary. Quality guaranteed by certification agency.

Truthful labelling is compulsory for notified kind of varieties. Quality guaranteed by producing agency

Applicable to notified kinds only

Applicable to both notified and released varieties

It should satisfy both minimum field and seed standards

Tested for physical purity and germination

Seed certification officer, seed inspectors can take samples for inspection

Seed inspectors alone can take samples for checking the seed quality.

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/govt-asks-industry-to-bring-transparency-in-certification-of-truthful-labelled-seeds/articleshow/84040509.cms?from=mdr