13th Edition of National Seed Congress (NSC)

13th Edition of National Seed Congress (NSC)

The 13th edition of the National Seed Congress (NSC) recently took place, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives for a three-day event aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector both in India and globally. The NSC serves as an important platform for discussing innovations in the seed industry, fostering collaborations, and enhancing the role of seeds in ensuring food security.

About the National Seed Congress (NSC)

• Theme: "Innovating for a Sustainable Seed Ecosystem."

• The congress emphasizes innovative seed technologies that can enhance the productivity and resilience of crops. It serves as a meeting point for researchers, policymakers, and farmers to discuss ways to improve seed production, distribution, and use, ultimately benefiting agricultural sustainability.

• Key Highlights of the 13th edition:

  • Focus on Hybrid and Biofortified Crops: The event concentrated on improving crop varieties through hybridization and biofortification, with a focus on stress-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties.

  • Accelerating Breeding Cycles: Spearheading the adoption of faster breeding methods to create superior crop varieties.

  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Promoting collaborations between government bodies and private sectors to ensure sustainable seed production and efficient distribution.

  • South-South Collaboration: Encouraging cooperation among developing countries to enhance the global seed sector and share knowledge and resources.

  • Implementation and Support: The outcomes from the congress will be implemented with the full support of state governments, aiming for food security, economic growth, and farmer welfare.

Key Concepts and Crop Types Discussed

Hybrid Crops

• Definition: Hybrid crops are created by crossbreeding genetically different plants from the same or different species to combine the best traits of both parents. These traits can include:

  • Increased yield

  • Disease resistance

  • Drought tolerance

  • Improved nutritional content

• Challenges: Hybrid seeds do not always produce offspring with the same beneficial traits as the parent plant. As a result, farmers must purchase new seeds every year.

Biofortified Crops

• Definition: Biofortified crops are specially bred to have higher levels of essential nutrients (e.g., vitamins, minerals, amino acids) compared to conventional crops. Biofortification is achieved through:

  • Traditional breeding

  • Genetic modification

  • Biotechnological methods

• Goal: The main aim is to enhance the nutritional value of crops, especially in regions where nutrient deficiencies are common. For example, Golden Rice is genetically modified to produce higher levels of provitamin A (beta-carotene) to address vitamin A deficiencies.

• Merits of Biofortification:

  • Sustainability: It is considered a sustainable approach to combat malnutrition.

  • Affordability: Biofortified foods are affordable, as they do not require additional costs compared to conventional foods.

  • High Yielding: Biofortified varieties offer the same yields as traditional crops, ensuring no loss to farmers.

  • Minimal Infrastructure: Unlike other fortification methods, biofortification does not require complex processing or infrastructure.

• Key Difference between Hybrid and Biofortified Crops:

  • Hybrid Crops: Focus on improving physical traits like yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance.

  • Biofortified Crops: Focus on improving nutritional content to address deficiencies in essential micronutrients.

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Seed Production

To promote sustainable seed production and distribution, the Indian government has introduced several initiatives and policies:

1. National Seed Policy (2002)

• Encourages both private and public sectors to improve seed production, quality control, and distribution systems.

2. National Gene Bank

• Maintains the genetic diversity of crops by conserving both traditional and indigenous seed varieties for future use.

3. State Seed Banks

• Support local farmers by conserving native seed varieties and facilitating the exchange of seeds to promote local biodiversity.

4. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

• Aims to increase the production of staple crops like rice, wheat, and pulses, while encouraging the use of high-quality seeds.

5. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

• Focuses on using climate-resilient seeds to address challenges in water-scarce regions, improving agricultural sustainability in such areas.

6. National Mission on Organic Farming (NMOF)

• Encourages organic seed production, providing subsidies for organic inputs and promoting seed-saving techniques.

7. Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• These organizations help farmers produce and distribute locally adapted seeds, promoting seed diversity and increasing farmer involvement in seed systems.

Conclusion

The 13th National Seed Congress (NSC) emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration to ensure sustainable agricultural growth. By focusing on hybrid and biofortified crops, accelerating breeding cycles, and fostering public-private partnerships, India aims to enhance its seed sector and contribute to global food security. With the support of state governments and the adoption of innovative practices, these efforts can significantly benefit the country's agricultural landscape and its farmers.