History Of Vegetable Seed Industry

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Vegetable trade was started during early part of 18th century in the early 1917. Vegetable seeds were exported form Europe to US so this trade continued upto 2nd world war. After this also there was seed supply from Europe to US (Canada) were completely cut off as a result US and Canada were forced to develop there own seed industry.

Before World War II, no one used to produce vegetable seeds on commercial scale from the business point of view. Vegetables were produced on a very limited scale. Seed growing as a business stared initially in Europe during first decade of 18th century and seeds are have been exported to America and other countries. World War II had a global effect on seed industry. Supplies are cut of from Europe countries. The UAS and Canada were called up on to meet their seed requirement through indigenous seed production.

Most of the temperate vegetables (European vegetables) were introduced to India by Portuguese and British in 18th and 19thg century. Seeds of temperate vegetable were imported form European countries. During 1960’s seeds were supplied by Sutton’s and Son’s,( London) This company established in India in 1916.

During World War II supply of seeds cut off hence seed production was stared in Quatta (now in Pakistan) during 1942. seed production also undertaken in Kattrain (H.P) Kashmir valley 1942-43. by 1945, few private seed men’s developed seed production facilities in Quatta and Kashmir valley. They also developed contacts with foreign seed companies and started exporting. The notable seed companies were Sutton, Poaches and Palkers etc.

After partition of the country supply of seeds were cut off from Quatta and vegetable seed industry Kashmir were considerable affected by disturbance sin 1948. Therefore in 1949 seed production programme of vegetables started at vegetable breeding station Kattrain and Kulu valley by GOI later, this station was brought under control of IARI in 1955 and was renamed as vegetable research station and finally IARI Regional station. Systematic breeding work of temperate vegetables contributed greatly to standardization of seed production technology in advent of 1961 international seed year systematic approach on seed production was attempted and NSC was established in 1963 through which GOI concentrated all efforts to develop Indian seed industry.

CPRI established in 1949 is mainly responsible for research and development of varieties and supply breeder and foundation seeds of potato. Systematic research work on temperate vegetable was done in early 60’s at vegetable research station at Kalpa, Solan and produced large quality of seeds to meet the growing demand. Cauliflower seeds (snow ball) were successfully grown in farmers’ field in Saproon valley of Solan district in early 70’s. and all import of cauliflower seeds was stopped. Similarly importing of other temperate vegetables seeds also stopped. Seed certification agency came in to existence in 1970’s started registration of vegetable seed crops / varieties now large number of companies enter in to seed trade and stared providing seeds on commercial scale.

In 1980;s importance of vegetable seed technology research was truly recognized to solve some of problems which are often encounter by seed producers, certification, staff at field level and while seed processing storage. Considering importance of vegetable seed tech research ICAR started all India co-ordinated research project under national seed programme, seed tech research units have been established in most of SAU’s.

NSC has produced 12 tones of four vegetable seeds in 1963-64. IN 1974-75 it produced 8,000 tones of vegetable of 60 varieties of 28 different kinds and almost same quantity of seeds produced by private seed trade.

India is the second largest producer of vegetables, with a total estimated production of 84 million tones from 6.3 million hectares and a growth of 2.6 %.The present annual requirement of vegetables is estimated to be 100 million tons and is expected to be over 135 million tons by 2010. This leap can best be achieved through use of improved varieties and hybrid technology in combination with superior crop management skills. Substantial increases in productivity can thus be attained even with diminishing land and water resources.

India figures among the top three vegetables seed producing countries in Asia others being china and Thailand. In India, commercial seed production for export on a commercial scale was organized during the 70’s by two private companies. A number of medium and small sized companies have begun to operate now in this venture covering seed production in most of the solanaceous and cucurbitaceous crops for internal market and exports. They include Namdhari Seeds, Mahyco, Indo-American Hybrid seeds, Golden seeds, Tropica, Exim, Oriental Biotech, Unicron Biotech etc. Custom production for export is mainly for companies in US, Europe and Japan. Vegetable seed export constitutes nearly 70% of total seed exports. It is estimated that seeds valued at $ 63 million have been produced and exported during 2000-01.

The State of Karnataka produces nearly 90% of the total hybrid vegetable seeds, the major areas being located around Ranebennur in the northern part of the state. Availability of trained labour and guaranteed returns and incentives for quality has helped in setting up of several seed villages. The returns can be as high as three times as that of crops for market purpose from the same area. This return can be as high as three times as that of crops for market purpose from the same area. This has also helped in improving the socio-economic scenario of these regions, including overall prosperity, narrowing down of rural/ urban divide and employment generation especially for village women and youth.

Public Sector- Contributions and strengths

The initial impetus to the vegetable variety development was from public institutes. Several high yielding varities in many crops were released including some with disease resisitances. These institutions continue to develop and release new varieties and hybrids. Popular varities released by the Institutes are produced and marketed by many small and medium sized companies. These include Arka Anamika in Okra, Arka Manik in watermelon, Arka Vikas in Tomato, G4 in Chillies, Hara Madhu in melons, Arka Komal in Beans besides others.

Government seed Industry

During the last decade Governments, both central and State, and other related agencies have been supportive and proactive. It can be expected that further removal of controls and restrictions, which impede growth of the industry, will facilitate in making this sector stronger. India is also signatory to WTO and the barriers for seed trade have been removed. PVP bill has been passed by the parliament and this is expected to generate more investments in R & D. Govt. Institutes provide breeders seeds at reasonable prices. Private participation is also welcome in coordinated trials conducted by ICAR. Above all, removal of seed trade barriers in 1988 has been a milestone. This new seed policy greatly helped import of vegetable seeds. As a further fillip to this industry, under the industry policy, seed production was declared as high priority industry in 1991.

Private sector

The growers and consumers today have a better and wider choice of products and this has a strong parallel with the activities and offering from the private seed sector. R & D activities have been strengthened and new hybrids with disease resistance and better quality have emerged from private sector, which are rapidly gaining ground.

Production technology for seeds varies from location to location and from crop-to- crop. However, a broad general recommendation can be adopted which could be suitably modified on the basis of individual vegetables. Timely operations not only ensure a rich harvest but also guarantee varietals purity and freedom from undesirable weeds, disease and pests. Emphasis should always be laid on those factors, which contribute to and effect seed quality E.g ., seed source , method of sowing, roughing, harvesting and post harvest operations.

The method of Cultivation for seed production is nearly the same as that of cultivation for fruit production. Individual plants with good fruiting are marked and ripe fruits collected for seed purpose. Roughing of seed crop throughout the crop period is a must to maintain the true to type plants. The specified isolation distance must be adhered to strictly for maintaining the purity of a particular variety. Details of seed production for individual vegetables is studied in the fallowing exercise.

National Seed Project

In order to bring self sufficiency and to meet requirement of country, quality seeds of high yielding varieties and adequate buffer stock and also build up export potential, national seed project with financial support of world bank was launched in 1977.

State Seed Corporation was established in almost all states to carry out certified seed production.

Seed Certification Agencies

Under the NSP seed certification agencies have been established which is independent organization. Exercises control and seed quality standards a central seed certification board set up to act as a self regulating agency. Center seed certification board is the apex body to modify or to fix new seed quality standards.

New Seed Policy

GOI announced a new seed policy in Sept. 1988 to meet with special emphasis on liberalizing import of high quality seeds to boost up production time bound programmes to strengthen modern plant quarantine facilities (PEQ). Incentives to encourage domestic industry and to encourage export of seeds.

Keeping in view in global scenario, vegetable breeders in the country have diverted their attention to develop F1 hybrids. The major breakthrough past few years has been realized in Indian vegetables viz., tomato, cabbage, chilli and cauliflower. Keeping in view importance of hybrids in vegetables, ICAR has sanctioned a net work project on Hybrid seed in vegetables (3.38 cores) the project is operation in 15 centers and covering 9 vegetable crops (Ghosh, 1997).

Now all the research work and quality seed production are been under taken under the super vision of Project Directorate of Vegetable Research, located at Varnasi.