Steps in Vegetable Seed Production Programme

4 steps in vegetable seed production programme

What is seed production?

Seed production is a step by step procedure of commercial production of vegetable seeds.

Label on a package

Objectives

  • Production of quality seeds for local market.
  • Development of new varieties.
  • Production of seeds for agribusiness.
  • Seed production for farmers.

Production of quality seeds for local market: professional and advance farmers produce seeds in bulk to cover local markets.
Development of new varieties: private companies and government institutes work on the development programme of new varieties. A farmer can also work on developing new varieties.
Production of seeds for agribusiness: private companies are known to produce seeds for their business.
Seed production for farmers: government institutes produce seeds in bulk quantity for their farmer.

Importance

  • Availability of quality seeds
  • Year around availability of seeds
  • Management of time
  • Highly profitable agribusiness

Availability of quality seeds: this programme is always under inspection. Hence, we get quality seeds.
Year around availability of seeds: due to this, the year around availability of seeds if possible.
Management of time: vegetables are short duration crop. Hence, we get sufficient quantity of seeds in a brief time.
Highly profitable agribusiness: this agribusiness is highly profitable.

Scope

It has better scope in future. Although, initially there are many difficulties in the way of establishing a RND center. Once this stage is passed, you will get deserving reward because you can make a brand.

Who can produce seeds?

One of the following person/institute can produce seeds

  • Famer
  • Government institutes
  • Private companies
  • A professional
  • Any interested person
  • A researcher

Important things to be remembered in seed production programme

  1. Obtaining seeds
  2. Selection of land
  3. Preparation of land
  4. Maintaining isolation distance
  5. Getting certificate

There are 4 types of seeds:

  • Nucleus seed
  • Breeder seed
  • Foundation seed
  • Certified seed

What is nucleus seed?

  • Nucleus seed is pure seed.
  • Genetically, it is 100 percent pure
  • It does not contain other physical impurities.
  • Tag colour of nucleus seed is golden yellow.

What is breeder seed?

Breeder seed is produced by the plant breeders. It is the progeny of nucleus seed. It does not have 100 percent genetic purity. If used in a seed production programme, subsequent generation shall confirm to the prescribed standards of genetic purity. It is 99.9-100% pure.
The colour tag of breed seed is yellow.

What is foundation seed?

  • Foundation seed is progeny of breeder seed.
  • It is also produced from foundation seeds.
  • The colour tag of foundation seed is white.

What is certified seed

  • Certified seed is progeny of foundation seed.
  • Specific genetic identity and purity is maintained.
  • Certified seed may be the progeny of certified seed, but reproduction should not exceed three generations.

Steps in vegetable seed production programme

Step 01: Obtaining seeds

1.1: Obtaining nucleus seeds

Where can I get nucleus seeds?

Nucleus seeds can be obtained from a plant breeder. A plant breeder can be an individual or a government institute. For example- to obtain a high quality nucleus seeds you can visit IIVR (Indian Institute of Vegetable Research).

Who can ask for nucleus seeds?

Nucleus seeds are not provided to farmers or any individual person or a private company. Government institutes are eligible to get nucleus seeds.

1.2: Obtaining breeder seeds

Where can I get breeder seeds?

Breeder seeds can be obtained from a plant breeder or an agricultural university. A plant breeder can be an individual or a government institute. For example- to obtain a high quality nucleus seeds you can visit IIVR (Indian Institute of Vegetable Research).

Who can ask for breeder seeds?

A government institute.

1.3: Obtaining foundation seeds

Where can I get foundation seeds?

Foundation seeds can be obtained from the grower of breeder seeds. For example- you can get foundation seeds from any agricultural university in India.

Who can ask for foundation seeds?

One of the following person/institute can ask for foundation seeds:

  • A farmer.
  • Any private company.
  • An individual.

1.4: Obtaining certified seeds?

Where can I get certified seeds?

Certified seeds are the final product of a seed production programme. It is available at any agricultural shop.

Who can ask for certified seed?

Any person can ask for certified seeds.

Step 02: Registration

Registration of seed production programme is very necessary. You can not do it without registration.

2.1: Registration of breeder seeds

  • Go to the seed certification agency.
  • Register your programme.
  • You will get yellow tag certification.

2.2: Registration of foundation seeds

  • Go to the seed certification agency.
  • Register your programme.
  • You will get white tag certification.

2.3: Registration of certified seeds

  • Go to the seed certification agency.
  • Register your programme.
  • You will get blue tag certification.

2.4: Apply for Grow Out Test

  • Contact to any established seed testing laboratory for Grow Out Test.
  • They will test for the following characteristics:
    • Germination percentage
    • Overall quality of seed.

If Grow Out Test is passed, you will get certificate. The tag of Grow Out Test will include following information:

Step 03: Inspection

Regular inspection is done by seed officers. They will visit at least 2 times for inspection.

Step 04: Obtaining certificate

Send seeds for Grow Out Test.
You will get certificate after this test.

Summary

Process and procedure of certification of seeds:

  • Receipt and scrutiny of application.
  • Verification of source of seed, its class and other requirements of the seed.
  • Field inspections by seed officer to verify conformity to the prescribed field standard
  • Supervision of post-harvest stages.
  • Seed sampling.
  • Genetic purity test and/or seed health test.
  • Issuing certificate and certification tags, tagging and sealing.

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