Seed multiplication programme was initiated by Indian National Development Integration Agriculture CO-OP Society during 1990-91 to provide
quality seeds to farmers with the motto “Either Certified Seed or No Seed”. First unit was
established at Aligarh (UP) with the capacity of 20,000 quintals per year. At present Indian National Development Integration Agriculture CO-OP Society
produces certified seeds of cereals, pulses, oil seed, spices and fodder crops at its modern 12
seed processing units located in 8 states. The certified seeds are annually produced by
progressive farmers according to standards & prescribed seed production practices. The seeds
produced are being made available to the farmers through Krishak Bharati Sewa Kendra,
Cooperative Societies and State Cooperative Marketing Federations in different states.
As per minimum seed certification standards there are certain criteria
that should be fulfilled before the seeds become certified:
* Varietal Purity: The first & foremost requirement
is that the seed must be of an improved variety released by either the central or a
state university release committee for general cultivation and notified by the Ministry
of Agriculture, Govt. of India.
* Genetic Purity: It Means true to the type to its
parents genetically and free from other varieties seeds of the same crop species. There
should not be mixture of other variety or other crop seed. Amount of contamination
permitted range between 0 - 0.1% but contamination by seeds of other varieties of same
crop is generally not permitted.
* Physical Purity: Means free from inert matter (sand,
pebbles soil particle, straw etc.) and defective seeds (broken, insect infected,
shriveled, unfit for germination). For example, in case of maize permissible
contamination is 1.0 %.
* Germination A high percentage of germination is
required to obtain a good crop. Germination standard of seed certification varies from
one crop to another like Maize (90%), Wheat (85%), Paddy (80%), Jowar (80%), Gram (85%),
Arhar (75%), Mustard (85%) etc.
* Free from weed seeds: Must be free from weed seeds
to prevent spreading of weeds through seeds & reduces losses caused by weeds.
* Free from diseases: Must be free from seed-borne
diseases. Presence of seed-borne pathogens can be prevented by either seed treatment or
effective control of diseases in standing crop.
* Moisture content : Certified seed must be dried to
an optimum moisture level for effective processing, seed viability & safe storage.
Optimum moisture level varies from 7% in oil seeds & pulses to 12% in cereals in case
bags packing. Moisture level can be lower by 1 - 2% in case of containers made of
metals.
Benefits of using Indian National Development Integration Agriculture CO-OP Society certified seeds:
* Produced under technical supervision of Indian National Development Integration Agriculture CO-OP Society officials.
* Passes through all required standard to ensure quality assurance and genetic purity.
* Maturity of crop comes at same time due to genetic purity, resulting in an increase in crop productivity by up to 20%.
* Have tested germination percentage.
* Seeds are healthy & disease free as seed treatment is done with standard seed treatments chemicals.
* Free from any mixture of weeds.
* Better response to fertilizers & other agri inputs.
We empower farmers with premium fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds to enhance productivity,
protect crops sustainably, and ensure long-term agricultural success.
