New seed varieties tailored to suit Kashmir’s needs

Seed certification is a long process. “Seeds developed by breeders pass through three trials,university level,state level and finally central level.”

After these certifications,there are more checks. “The finance department has to give the nod… only those seeds are approved that are economically viable,” said Andrabi.

The agriculture and horticulture departments came up with 16 new seeds that will be added to the existing chain. “The state seed subcommittee for agriculture and horticulture approved the 16 seeds as these varieties were superior to the existing varieties of rice,wheat,maize,oats and pulses,” says Andrabi.

Under the Seed Act,the coomittee needs to approve a new seed before it is added to the seed chain. Comparing the new breeds with the existing varieties in terms of economic viablility and disease resistance,experts believe even a nominal increase is enough to meet growing needs. It is a huge advantage to have even a 10-20 per cent increase in superiority,says some experts.

But scientists suggest farmers should target the maximum yield from the seeds for only two to three years as after that the produce declines qualitatively and quantitatively. “Ideally,a single seed variety is to be used for a maximum two to three years and it has to be changed to get optimum yield.”

For this,scientists emphasise certification of seeds. “From sowing to marketing,all steps are factored in,” says an official in the certification section After all these checks,farmers still get cheated with falsely labelled seeds widespread in the markets. “The false labelling of seeds deceives us,” says farmer Ghulam Qadir of Ganderbal.

According to the State Seed Certification Centre in Srinagar,the total requirement of seeds in Kashmir is 1,84,900 quintals. Farmers are being involved in seed production in Kashmir division.

“The concept of a seed village is aimed at quality seed production. The main objective is to involve farmers in seed production and make quality seeds available at reasonable prices at the village level,“ said an expert.

At present,there are 421 seed villages which produce 57,460 quintals over 2,149.3 hectares.

A member of the seed growers’ association of Kashmir,Farooq Ahmad of Eidgah,feels it is a promising enterprise. “I send seeds both to national and to international markets,and the returns are good.”

Farooq suggests that the university make available hybrid seeds that have a higher demand in international markets. “But we do not use hybrid seeds as they cross-pollinate with local varieties,destroying traits of the hybrid.”

According to the association,business has grown in terms of produce but input costs have gone up.

“The seed industry has gone down as labour has become expensive,which in turn makes seeds expensive for farmers,” Farooq says.

“Vegetable seeds are in great demand nationally. We are the best seed-producing centre in India,especially in vegetables,” claims Andrabi,the certification coordinator. Experts say the valley has the potential of becoming a seed bank for the rest of the world. The climate is suited for seed production,especially vegetables,they add.