Centre okays National Seeds Policy

NEW DELHI: THE Centre on Tuesday approved the National Seeds Policy 2002, paving the way for planned development of seeds sector. The move is aimed at hiking the percentage of India’s share in global seed trade to at least 10% from 1%.
The government will now set up National Seeds Board and Plant Variety and Farmers’ Rights Protection Authority. The NSB is to replace existing agencies where seeds are registered for sale as well as export and import.
The policy is primarily designed to boost investment in research and development in new plant varieties by providing intellectual property protection.
The pending draft of the revised Seeds Act will now ensure better quality seeds for the farm sector. The amendments will entail compulsory registration of seed and plant material towards maintaining quality.