In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider/greater implementation?

1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) None

Answer: (b)        

Explanation:

• There is a National Seed Policy 2002.
• Hence statement 1 is incorrect
• The private sector seed companies supply quality seeds of vegetables but in a small volume.
• The private sector is the majority supplier of hybrid vegetable seeds.
• Hence statement 2 is also incorrect
• There is a demand-supply gap recording quality of seeds in case of low value and high volume crops such as wheat and rice.
• Farmers prefer to use their own preserve seeds due to the high demand and supply gap. Hence statement 3 is correct.