UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

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 the case of low value and high volume crops.
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• There is a National Seed Policy, 2002 in India. The seed act 1966, seed control order 1983, and New Policy on Seeds Development, 1988, from the basis of promotion and regulation of the Indian Seed Industry. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• As per the National Seed Policy, a major effort will be required to enhance the seed replacement rates of various crops. This would require a major increase in the production of quality seeds, in which the private sector is expected to play a major role. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  
• Farmers use their own farm-saved seeds as there is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in the case of low value and high-volume crops. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Geography | Agriculture and Allied Sectors(geo)