The Indian Seeds Programme recognizes three generations of seeds, namely, breeder, foundation, and certified Seeds. The following table shows the Seed Production in India in recent years.

It is clear from the above table that Certified/Quality seed production has increased from 140.51 lakh quintals during 2006-07 to 279.72 lakh quintals during 2009-2010.

Seeds Act 1966 was passed by the Parliament in 1966, which created a climate to make good quality seeds available to the cultivators. Under this act Seed rules were framed and notified in September 1968 and the Act was implemented in its entirety in October 1969.

• Systematic Seed Certification started in India in 1969.
  

The Seeds Act 1966 (section 8). The various aspects and activities of Seed Certification carried out in accordance with Seeds Act. This act provides for

• Establishment of Seed Certification Agency in the state,
  
• Establishment of Seed certification Board,
  
• Establishment of Central Seed Committee,
  
• Establishment of State Seed Testing Laboratories part from making other provisions.
  
  

Please note that to ensure that farmers get suitable certified quality seeds is the responsibility of the State Governments. At present there are 21 state Seed Certification Agencies in the country which carry out the certification of the seeds in India.