Seed Certification | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

In essence, seed certification is a systematic procedure established to ensure a consistent and accessible source of top-quality seeds and propagating materials for specific types and varieties of crops. These materials are cultivated and distributed in a manner that guarantees their physical identity and genetic purity. Seed certification operates as a legally approved framework for maintaining quality control in the multiplication and production of seeds.

History of Seed Certification in India

• The process of field evaluation and certification of seed crops commenced when the National Seeds Corporation was founded in 1963.
• The legal framework for seed certification was established with the introduction of the first Indian Seed Act in 1966 and the formulation of Seed Rules in 1968.
• The Seed Act of 1966 played a crucial role in encouraging the States to create official Seed Certification Agencies.
• Maharashtra became the first state to establish an official Seed Certification Agency in 1970, as part of the Department of Agriculture. In contrast, Karnataka was the first state to establish a Seed Certification Agency as an independent entity in 1974.
• Currently, 22 states in India have their own Seed Certification Agencies, operating under the provisions of the Seed Act of 1966.
• In India, seed certification is a voluntary process, while the labeling of seeds is mandatory.

Objective of Seed Certification

The primary aim of Seed Certification is to guarantee the adherence to recognized criteria regarding seed viability, vigor, purity, and seed health.
A well-structured seed certification system should contribute to achieving the following three principal goals:

• The methodical promotion of high-quality varieties.
• The recognition of novel varieties and their prompt propagation using widely accepted designations.
• The provision of a consistent and uninterrupted stream of uniform materials through diligent upkeep.

Certification agency

Certification shall be conducted by the Certification Agency notified under Section 8 of the Seeds Act, 1966.

Eligibility requirements for certification

Only seed varieties that are officially recognized under Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, are eligible for certification.
To qualify for seed certification, a variety must meet the following criteria:

• General Requirements: It must be a variety that has been officially recognized under Section 5 of the Indian Seed Act, 1966.
  • The variety must be part of the production process, and its lineage should be traceable.
• Field Standards: Field standards encompass criteria related to site selection, isolation requirements, spacing, planting ratios, border rows, and so on.
• Specific Requirements: Specific requirements pertain to factors such as the presence of off-types in any seed crop, the occurrence of pollen-shedding in crops like Sorghum, Bajra, Sunflower, the shedding of tassels in maize crosses, the presence of disease-affected plants, and the existence of objectionable weed plants. These factors should all fall within the permissible limits set for certification.
• Seed Standards: Minimum standards for seed certification have been established on a crop-specific basis.

Process followed in Seed certification

• Verification of the Origin of Propagating Material: The first step in the Seed Certification Programme involves an administrative check on the source of the seed material. The certification agency will only accept seeds for certification if they originate from an approved source and meet the designated class requirements. This ensures the use of high-quality, true-to-type seeds for planting seed crops.
• Field Inspection: Field inspection is conducted to assess varietal purity, ensure the isolation of seed crops to prevent out-crossing, address physical contamination, curb disease spread, and check for the presence of undesirable weed plants. This step also verifies the overall health of the crop.
• Sample Inspection: The planting value of seeds is assessed through laboratory tests. The certification agency collects representative samples from seeds produced under the certification program and subjects them to germination and other purity tests to confirm varietal purity.
• Bulk Inspection: The certification program includes provisions for bulk inspection, which involves evaluating the seed lot to ensure it is homogeneous and matches the standard sample. This provides an indication of the authenticity of the lot and the sample.
• Control Plot Testing: In control plot testing, samples from the source and the final seed produced are grown side by side with standard samples of the same variety. This comparison helps determine whether the varietal purity and health of the produced seed are consistent with the results obtained through field inspection.
• Grow-Out Test: The genuineness of seeds in terms of species or varieties and the presence of seed-borne infections are evaluated through grow-out tests. Samples drawn from seed lots are grown in the field alongside standard checks, and the growing plants are observed for varietal purity. The grow-out test helps identify and eliminate sub-standard seed lots.

Phases of Seed Certification

Seed Certification is carried out in six broad phases listed as under:

• Receipt and scrutiny of application.
• Verification of seed source, class and other requirements of the seed used for raising the seed crop.
• Inspection of the seed crop in the field to verify its conformity to the prescribed field standards.
• Supervision at post-harvest stages including processing and packing.
• Drawing of samples and arranging for analysis to verify conformity to the seed standards; and
• Grant of certificate, issue of certification tags, labelling, sealing etc.

Validity Period of the Certificate

The initial certification grants a validity period of nine months, starting from the date of testing. If, upon retesting, the seed continues to meet the specified standards for physical purity, germination, and insect damage, the validity period can be extended for an additional six months. This extension is applicable to all seeds except for vegetatively propagating material, for which the lot will need to be re-evaluated to adhere to the seed standards specified for the respective crop. A seed lot can have its validity period extended as long as it continues to meet the prescribed standards.