No shortage of seeds for 2015 Kharif season: Government

NEW DELHI: Barring soyabean seeds, there is no shortage of seeds for other crops for the 2015 Kharif season to begin with the start of southwest monsoon from June, the government said today.

"In kharif 2015, approximately 137.27 lakh quintals of seed is required against which 140.69 lakh quintal seed is available. There is no shortage of seeds except soyabean seeds," the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.

All states have been requested to take maximum benefit of central assistance under "submission on seed and planting material" and send the Annual Action Plan for the 2015-16 crop year (June-July) by mid-March positively, it said.

The Ministry reviewed the seed availability and plan of the state governments for next kharif season at the zonal level meeeting held last week, it added.

The states have been asked to give stress on quality and certified seeds to increase the productivity of agriculture in their respective areas.