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Seeds for Growth: New technologies and Sustainable Agriculture.

Relevance: 

Prelims: Agriculture and S&T.

Mains: PAPER-IV General Studies-III: e-technology in the aid of farmers, Food Security

Context: Malvika Dadlani, former joint director Research ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research institute, emphasizes on the importance of developing the agricultural and seed industry in India, focusing on the challenges and opportunities related to food security, nutrition, seed technology, and sustainable agriculture.

Background

• Despite achieving food security with a foodgrain production of 330 MT, there’s an unmet demand for coarse cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables in India.
• These essential crops are not affordable for a significant portion of the population, leading to a substantial number of undernourished and malnourished people, including a noteworthy percentage of child wasting (19.3 percent).
• To address this issue, India must bridge the gap between the potential and actual productivity of various grain crops and vegetables.
• This entails reducing production costs, fostering the cultivation and consumption of nutritionally-rich crops such as millets, and prioritizing the overall quality of agricultural produce.
• As a result, a critical focus needs to be placed on ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds and maximizing the performance potential of each seed.

The History of Seed Industry in India-

The seed industry in India has a long and rich history, dating back to the Vedic period. In the early days, seeds were mainly propagated by farmers through traditional methods, such as seed saving and exchange. However, with the advent of modern agriculture in the 20th century, there was a growing need for high-quality seeds that could produce higher yields and resist pests and diseases.

1960s:

Establishment of National Seeds Corporation (NSC): In 1963, the Indian government established the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) to promote the production and distribution of quality seeds. NSC played a pivotal role in enhancing seed availability and accessibility.

1970s:

Green Revolution: The Green Revolution, which started in the late 1960s and continued into the 1970s, introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. These varieties required improved seed quality and management practices.

1980s:

Policy Reforms: The Indian government introduced policy reforms to encourage private sector participation in the seed industry. This led to the emergence of private seed companies alongside NSC.

Introduction of Hybrid Seeds: The late 1980s saw the introduction of hybrid seeds in crops like cotton and maize. Hybrid seeds offered increased productivity and paved the way for further research and innovation.

1990s:

Liberalization: Economic liberalization policies in the 1990s opened up opportunities for global collaborations, technology transfer, and foreign investment in the Indian seed industry.

Biotechnology: India’s biotechnology sector started gaining prominence, leading to research on genetically modified (GM) crops, including Bt cotton.

2000s:

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act: The year 2001 marked a significant milestone with the enactment of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FR Act). This legislation provided a legal framework for the protection of plant varieties and intellectual property rights for breeders.

Adoption of GM Crops: Bt cotton, a genetically modified cotton variety resistant to certain pests, was commercially approved in 2002. This marked India’s entry into the era of biotech crops.

Key focus of the Seed Industry should be on:

Climate Change Challenges: The seed industry needs to prioritize the development of plant varieties and technologies that can effectively counter the severe challenges posed by climate change.

Millets as Sustainable Crops: Millets, known for their rich nutrient content and adaptability, offer a sustainable solution due to their hardiness and short growth cycle.

Indian Leadership in Millet Production: India holds a prominent position as the global leader in millet production, providing a solid foundation for leveraging this crop’s potential.

Global Market Capture Through Quality Seeds: India’s opportunity lies in producing high-quality seeds of improved millet varieties, particularly minor millets, which have the capacity to compete and excel in the global market.

Role of Seed Technology: Advancements in seed technology play a vital role in enhancing both the availability and quality of seeds, making them resilient and adaptable across diverse conditions.

Integration of Genetic and Applied Technologies: Modern seed technology must synergize genetic progress with applied techniques to yield seeds of superior quality, exhibiting heightened productivity and efficiency.

Resilience Against Stressors: Quality-enhanced seeds should possess the ability to withstand various challenges, encompassing both biological and environmental stressors.

Higher Productivity and Input Efficiency: Seed technology’s goal is to deliver improved varieties that not only yield higher productivity but also ensure efficient utilization of agricultural inputs.

Adaptation to Diverse Conditions: Advanced seeds should demonstrate adaptability across a spectrum of conditions, promoting a more robust and reliable agricultural system.

Challenges faced by Indian Seed Industry

Regulatory Framework Complexity: Navigating complex and often evolving regulations related to seed production, registration, and intellectual property rights can pose challenges for seed companies.

Biotechnology Regulation: The regulation of genetically modified (GM) crops is a sensitive issue. Stringent approval processes and public concerns can slow down the introduction of new GM varieties.

Seed Quality and Purity: Ensuring the purity and quality of seeds is crucial for farmers’ success. Maintaining high standards and preventing contamination is a continuous challenge.

Counterfeit Seeds and Piracy: The prevalence of counterfeit seeds and unauthorized use of protected varieties undermine the efforts of legitimate seed producers and breeders.

Limited Research Funding: Insufficient investment in research and development hampers the development of improved and climate-resilient varieties that can address emerging challenges.

Climate Change Adaptation: Developing seeds that are adaptable to changing climate conditions and resistant to new pests and diseases requires substantial research and innovation.

Farmers’ Access to Quality Seeds: Ensuring that farmers, especially smallholders, have access to quality seeds at affordable prices remains a challenge, impacting productivity.

Traditional vs. Modern Seeds: The transition from traditional seed-saving practices to adopting modern, high-yielding varieties can be met with resistance due to cultural, economic, and knowledge factors.

Lack of Infrastructure: Inadequate infrastructure for seed processing, storage, and distribution can affect the timely availability of seeds, particularly in remote areas.

Lack of Awareness: Many farmers are unaware of the benefits of using improved seeds and may not understand the importance of varietal diversity.

Global Competition: The Indian seed industry faces competition from global seed companies. Striking a balance between competitiveness and safeguarding national interests is a challenge.

Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement: Enforcing intellectual property rights can be challenging, especially in cases of unauthorized use or infringement of protected varieties.

Inequitable Benefit Sharing: Ensuring that farmers and local communities receive fair benefits from the commercialization of plant varieties can be complex.

Seed Price Volatility: Fluctuations in seed prices due to market dynamics and supply-demand imbalances can impact farmers’ budgets and planting decisions.

Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Promoting sustainable farming practices requires integrating seed technologies that not only boost productivity but also preserve natural resources.

Technologies at the disposal of farmers-

Genetic Manipulation and Variety Development:

Genetic manipulation involves modifying the genetic makeup of plants to introduce desirable traits. This can lead to the development of new plant varieties with improved yield, disease resistance, and other advantageous traits. Some examples of GM crops include Bt cotton, which is resistant to the cotton bollworm, and Golden Rice, which is enriched with vitamin A.

Priming of Physiological Advancement Protocols:

Seed priming involves pre-treating seeds to stimulate physiological processes. This can lead to quicker and more uniform germination, enhanced seedling vigor, and improved stress tolerance. For example, primed seeds of wheat have been shown to have a higher germination rate and yield than unprimed seeds, even when they are planted in dry soil.

Film Coating and Pelleting:

Film coating and pelleting techniques involve covering seeds with a thin layer of protective material, which can contain nutrients, pesticides, or other beneficial substances. Coating can enhance seed handling, improve germination rates, and provide early protection against pests and diseases. Example: Coating soybean seeds with a polymer film containing beneficial microorganisms that protect the emerging seedlings from soil-borne pathogens

Seed Treatments with Biologicals or Chemical Pesticides:

Seed treatments involve applying biological agents or chemical pesticides to seeds before planting. Biologicals include beneficial microorganisms that promote plant growth and protect against pathogens. Chemical pesticides can offer protection from various pests and diseases. Example: Treating wheat seeds with a biological fungicide containing Trichoderma species, which helps suppress soil-borne fungal diseases and promotes root health.

Bio-Stimulants and Nutrients:

Bio-stimulants are substances that enhance plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. Nutrients, such as micronutrients or growth-promoting compounds, can be applied to seeds to improve their nutritional status and overall performance. Example: Applying a bio-stimulant containing seaweed extracts to maize seeds before planting to enhance root development, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance.

Higher Germination and Faster Seedling Establishment:

Techniques aimed at improving germination rates and ensuring uniform emergence of seedlings contribute to higher crop yields. Faster establishment of healthy seedlings can help crops compete better with weeds and establish a strong foundation for growth.

These seed technologies collectively contribute to sustainable agriculture by promoting better resource utilization, increased productivity, and reduced environmental impacts. They address various challenges such as climate change, pest and disease pressures, and resource limitations, ultimately leading to more resilient and productive crop systems. It’s important to note that the successful adoption of these technologies requires careful consideration of factors such as crop type, local conditions, and appropriate application methods.

A strong regulatory framework encompassing high-quality seedlings and planting materials is necessary. Recently introduced Clean Green Mission by the government as a part of G20 commitment to Green Development is a right step in this direction. Emerging seed technologies, backed by scientific validation and effective regulatory measures, present notable benefits for promoting sustainable agriculture with minimal added expenses.

Source: Indian Express

Mains Question

Q. Highlight the significance of integrating Seed development technologies within the framework of modern agricultural practices and their implications for India’s agricultural sector. Provide relevant examples to support your answer.