National Seeds Corporation and State Farms Corporation of India

The National Seeds Corporation (NSC) and the State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI) are two pivotal public sector organisations established by the Government of India to ensure the production, quality assurance, and distribution of high-yielding and certified seeds across the country. These institutions have played a crucial role in the agricultural transformation of India, particularly during and after the Green Revolution, by strengthening the seed production infrastructure and ensuring that quality seeds reach farmers at affordable prices. Their contributions have significantly enhanced agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency in food grains.

National Seeds Corporation (NSC)

The National Seeds Corporation Limited (NSC) was established in 1963 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It was one of the earliest initiatives aimed at developing the organised seed sector and promoting the use of certified and high-quality seeds among Indian farmers.
Objectives and Functions: The primary objectives of the NSC are to promote, produce, and supply quality seeds of improved crop varieties and hybrids. Its functions include:

1. Production of Foundation and Certified Seeds: NSC undertakes large-scale production of foundation and certified seeds of various crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fodder, and vegetables.
2. Seed Distribution and Marketing: The corporation maintains an extensive network for marketing seeds across different states through cooperatives, dealers, and government agencies.
3. Quality Control: NSC ensures that all seeds meet prescribed germination, purity, and health standards through regular testing and certification.
4. Research and Development (R&D): It collaborates with agricultural research institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to multiply breeder seeds of newly developed varieties.
5. Training and Extension: NSC organises seed production and quality management training for farmers and field officers.
6. Export of Seeds: The corporation also engages in the export of Indian-origin seeds to international markets, thereby contributing to agricultural diplomacy.

Structure and Operations: NSC operates through its Regional Offices, Seed Production Farms, and Seed Processing Units located across India. It works closely with State Seed Corporations, progressive farmers, and cooperative bodies to enhance seed multiplication programmes.
Role in the Green Revolution: During the late 1960s and 1970s, NSC played a decisive role in the spread of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds of wheat and rice, which formed the backbone of India’s Green Revolution. By ensuring timely availability of these seeds and maintaining high quality standards, NSC helped India transition from a food-deficit nation to a self-sufficient one.
Recent Developments: In recent years, NSC has diversified into the production of hybrid seeds, biofertilisers, and planting materials. It has also adopted digital platforms for seed marketing and tracking to improve transparency and efficiency. As of today, NSC produces over 15 lakh quintals of quality seeds annually, covering more than 600 varieties of around 60 crops.

State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI)

The State Farms Corporation of India Limited (SFCI) was established in 1969, also under the Ministry of Agriculture, with the primary aim of managing large government-owned farms for the production of high-quality seeds. It was created to serve as a model for large-scale, mechanised, and scientific farming in India.
Objectives and Functions: SFCI was designed to utilise vast tracts of government land for seed multiplication and to produce breeder, foundation, and certified seeds for various crops. Its main functions included:

1. Large-Scale Seed Production: Operating extensive farms across different agro-climatic zones to produce quality seeds of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and fodder crops.
2. Demonstration of Modern Agricultural Practices: SFCI farms acted as centres for showcasing modern techniques of seed production, irrigation, mechanisation, and crop management.
3. Training and Capacity Building: Conducting training programmes for farmers, agricultural students, and field officers on modern methods of crop cultivation and seed technology.
4. Research Collaboration: Working in coordination with ICAR, agricultural universities, and research organisations to multiply breeder seeds and test new crop varieties under varied conditions.
5. Support to National Seed Programmes: Providing high-quality foundation seeds to NSC, State Seed Corporations, and private producers for further multiplication.

Operational Framework: SFCI managed a network of large seed farms spread across the country, each equipped with modern machinery, irrigation facilities, and processing units. These farms were strategically located in diverse climatic regions to ensure seed production under suitable conditions for different crops.
Contribution to Indian Agriculture: SFCI’s large-scale seed production significantly contributed to the success of India’s seed programmes by ensuring a steady supply of foundation seeds. The farms under SFCI also served as demonstration units for mechanised farming, crop rotation, and water-use efficiency, influencing state-level agricultural policies and practices.
Merger with NSC: In April 2014, the Government of India approved the merger of SFCI with the National Seeds Corporation Limited (NSC) to streamline operations, reduce administrative overheads, and create a single, stronger public sector entity in the seed industry. The merger aimed to integrate SFCI’s extensive land resources and mechanised farms with NSC’s established marketing and distribution network, enhancing the overall efficiency of seed production and supply.
After the merger, the combined organisation continued to function under the NSC name, inheriting SFCI’s assets and operations. This unification marked a strategic move towards consolidating India’s seed sector and ensuring synergy between production and distribution activities.