The Indian government has approved a new National Seeds Policy to provide intellectual property protection to new varieties and set up institutes for the planned development of the sector. The policy has nine major thrust areas including the production of quality seeds by the private sector, establishing state seed testing laboratories, access to breeder seed, etc
The main features of the National Seeds Policy, 2002
1. Development of new and improved varieties of plants
2. Timely availability of quality seeds
3. Compulsory registration of seeds
4. Creation of infrastructure facilities
5. Quality assurance, promotion of seed industry,
6. Abolition of licensing for seed dealers,
7. Facility for import of best quality seeds,
8. Encouragement to export of seeds
9. Creation of Seed Banks and National Seed Grid.
These initiatives will encourage investment in research and development, thereby ensuring availability of high yielding varieties of seeds which will lead to higher production and improving the economic condition of the farmers in the country.
Download the full text of the policy here
Some Strategies
1. A Plant Varieties & Farmers' Rights Protection (PVP) Authority will be established which will undertake registration of extant and new plant varieties through the Plant Varieties. Registry on the basis of varietal characteristics.
2. A National Gene Fund will be established for implementation ofthe benefit sharing arrangement, and payment of compensation to village communities for their contribution to the development and conservation of plant genetic resources and also to promote conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. Suitable systems will be worked out to identify the contributions from traditional knowledge and heritage.
3. Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Crops will be permitted to be accessed by Research Organisations and Seed Companies from public collections as per the provisions of the 'Material Transfer Agreement' of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources and the Biological Diversity Bill.
4. The National Seeds Board (NSB) will be established in place of existing Central Seed Committee and Central Seed Certification Board. The NSB will have permanent existence with the responsibility of executing and implementing the provisions of the Seeds Act and advising the Government on all matters relating to seed planning and development. The NSB will function as the apex body in the seed sector.