Seeding growth

The UPA governments effort to create a regulatory structure for the commercial seed business already pending since 2004 has run into further trouble,being quite comprehensively attacked by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,who believes that,as agriculture is a state subject,the Centre is overstepping its jurisdiction.

The Seeds Committee that is being set up to regulate the quality of seeds should,he argued,also have the power to regulate the prices of seeds. After all,procurement prices the prices that farmers get for their produce are set by government,and might well be slow in responding to the private sectors changes in seed prices; this would,those like Nitish fear,end up squeezing the farmer. While theres force to this argument,its unclear that greater meddling with the market will help. Plus seed prices are variable for different strains of vegetables in particular Nitish mentioned a price in thousands for hybrid vegetables and those are outside the procurement net. Over-regulation of seed prices would stifle the variability that needs to exist in order for a mature vegetable supply chain to emerge in India,enhancing farmer incomes.

The other point,of course,is the certification of genetically modified seeds. This newspaper has argued that the choice of seed is best left to the farmer,once independent scientific bodies have worked out that the modified seeds are safe and dont damage ecosystems. Thats one of the goals of the Seeds Bill,but both Kumar and the parliamentary committee had suggested modifications. Kumar had earlier opposed

Bt maize trials in Bihar,and he continues to insist on explicit safeguards and a liability clause. These are suggestions that should be taken seriously. Institutional strength in clearing genetically modified seeds will only hasten their adaptation,and the upgrade of Indias agricultural capabilities that they will bring in their wake. A quick re-registration in the proposed national seeds register should not,Kumar says,replace a rigorous testing process under Indian conditions,a point that deserves attention. In this case,as in so many others,the UPA would do well to reach out to reasoned opposition.