Objectives:

• Seed is a critical determinant in increasing the Agricultural production.
• The performance and efficiency of other inputs depends on the quality of seed. Certified/quality seed plays an important role in achieving higher yields.
• Hence supply of quality seed to the farmers is one of the most important interventions to increase the production and productivity of any crop.
• To bring more area under cultivation certified or quality seed must be supplied at affordable prices and in adequate quantities to the farmers.
• The area under cultivation is not going to increase significantly; the thrust will have to be on rising productivity per unit of cultivated land.

The availability and use of quality seed is not a onetime affair. Sustained increase in agriculture production and productivity necessarily requires continuous development of new and improved varieties of crops and efficient systems of production (Seed Chain) and supply of Certified/Quality seed to farmers.

In Andhra Pradesh the Seed production chain is being strengthened by producing various classes of seed i.e. Breeder seed, Foundation seed and certified seed by different Government and Private Institutions. The certified/quality and improved seed thus produced is being distributed to the farmers through the various Central and State schemes. This is one of the most effective way of increasing the production and productivity at the field level. Supply of seed on subsidy means the average farmers are able to purchase the most critical input in agriculture i.e. seed at affordable price which will help in achieving desirable increase in production and productivity. The main thrust while supplying the seed on subsidy is for varietal replacement and availability of quality seed to farming community.

In order to achieve the food production target of the future, a major effort will be required to enhance the seed replacement rate of various crops. It would require a major increase in the production of certified/quality seed.

Supply under different schemes:

Seed Supply Plan for Kharif, 2019 and Rabi 2019-20 was prepared based on the district wise, season wise seed requirement as furnished by the District Joint Directors of Agriculture in the State.

It is proposed to distribute 22.03 lakh qtl of seed during 2019-20 out of which a quantity of 11.83 lakh qtl is planned to be supplied under subsidy with a subsidy value of Rs 32634.33 Lakhs. Arrangements are already made for supply of quality seed on subsidy to the farmers under various schemes as detailed below:

• 1. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
• 2. Rastriya Krishi VikasYojana (RKVY)
• 3. National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOPS)
• 4. Supply of seed on subsidy to the farmers (Non-plan)

The subsidy seed will be supplied by the various seed supplying nodal agencies i.e. APSSDCL, APOILFED, NSC Ltd and HIL. In Kurnool, Kadapa, Ananthapuramu and Chittoor districts it has been planned to distribute about 4.72 Lakh Qtl. of Groundnut crop seed in collaboration with WASSAN an NGO. The various crop seed will be distributed to the farmers on subsidy as per the rates approved by the Government of Andhra Pradesh

Pvt. Hybrid crops seed like Maize, Jowar, Bajra, are supplied to the farmers on 50% subsidy limited to Rs 10000/-per qtl whichever is less and crops like Castor and Sunflower seed are supplied to the farmers on 50% subsidy limited to Rs 8000/- whichever is less per qtl.

In Non NFSM districts i.e East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Kurnool and Chittoor it has been planned to distribute a quantity of 0.4 lakh Qtl. of Paddy crop seed @ Rs.500/- per Qtl. Under Non Plan.

In NFSM districts i.e Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Kadapa and Ananthapuram it has been planned to distribute a quantity of 1.54 lakh Qtl. of Paddy crop seed @ 50% limited to Rs.1000/- per Qtl. for more than 10 years old varieties and seed @ 50% limited to Rs.2000/- per Qtl. for less than 10 years old varieties.

Subsidy Seed Distribution through Aadhar enable Bio-Metric System:

By using latest technology in seed distribution, introduced Aadhar enabled Web land based Bio- Metric system for maintaining transparency and to avoid malpractices. All the necessary arrangements were made for distribution of entire subsidy seed through Bio-Metric system for the year 2019-20.

CROP WISE SUBSIDY SEED REQUIREMENT & SUBSIDY AMOUNT REQUIRED DURING 2019-20:

S.No	Crop	Kharif, 2019		Rabi 2019-20		Total
		Seed requirement in Qtls	Subsidy  Rs in Lakhs *	Seed requirement in Qtls	Subsidy  Rs in Lakhs *	Seed requirement in Qtls	Subsidy  Rs in Lakhs *
1	Ground nut	442339	10793.0716	29438	718.2872	471777	11511.3588
2	Paddy	180599	2440.39	14180	118.6	194779	2558.99
3	Red gram	4245	118.625	140	3.5	4385	122.125
4	Green gram	845	31.75	3550	158.25	4395	190
5	Black gram	2608	65.2	9545	238.625	12153	303.825
6	Bengal gram	0	0	360250	10557.45	360250	10557.45
7	Jowar	356	35.6	150	15	506	50.6
8	Maize	6596	659.6	6940	694	13536	1353.6
9	Bajra	634	63.4	0	0	634	63.4
10	Ragi	736	18.4	647	16.175	1383	34.575
11	Sesamum	455	26.39	450	26.1	905	52.49
12	Castor	108	8.64	0	0	108	8.64
13	SunFlower	15	1.2	105	8.4	120	9.6
14	Cowpea	2264	37.08432	1560	25.5528	3824	62.63712
15	Korra	59	1.239	0	0	59	1.239
16	Horsegram	1199	20.383	732	12.444	1931	32.827
17	Rajmah	0	0	2225	167.20875	2225	167.20875
18	Soybean	440	9.0904	0	0	440	9.0904
19	Dhaincha	60990	2415.204	600	23.76	61590	2438.964
20	Sun hemp	25930	1357.4355	920	48.162	26850	1405.5975
21	Pillipesara	21260	1690.17	125	9.9375	21385	1700.1075
	Total	751678	19792.873	431557	12841.452	1183235	32634.325
* Subsidy calculated as per 2018-19 approved  Prices except Green Manure

Promotion of new varieties:

To promote new varieties a State Level Standing Committee has been formed as per the instructions of Government of India. The Committee has discussed with various Research Institutes regarding the new crop varieties which can be promoted in AP through subsidy scheme.

Seed Rolling Plan for Three years:

• A three year Seed rolling Plan has been prepared and variety wise requirement and production of Certified seed / Foundation seed / Breeder seed for next 3 years has been finalized
• It is decided to promote new varieties for different crops (which are less than 10 years old) and supply them under subsidy scheme.
• Further, it is also decided to supply popular old varieties which are preferred by the farmers under the Seed Rolling Plan for ThreeYears.

There are 27 State Seed Farms under the Department ofAgriculture located in the 17 Districts.

Objectives::

The 27 State Seed Farms are taking up of Seed production programme utilizing the Breeder seed from theANGRAU and Foundation seed from Seed farms.

Benefit of the Programme:

The quality Foundation seed produced in the Farms is being utilized under Seed Village Scheme implemented by the Department.

Budget

A proposal for Rs. 1172.00 lakhs submitted to RKVY section for allocation under RKVY funds for providing infrastructure to the Seed Farms.

Cropping Programme during 2013-11:

For the year 2013-11, it is planned to cover an extent of 991.82 ha by utilizing the 760.09 qtls of Breeder seed with 29676.80 qtls of estimated Foundation seed production.

4.Field Demonstrations by STLs:

SEED VILLAGE PROGRAMME

 

The Seed Village Programme was introduced in Rabi 2004-05 in the state by state Govt. of A.P. and from Rabi 2005-06 onwards the Scheme is being implemented as per the norms of GOI.

 

Central Sector Scheme ‘Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds’ was  implemented on all India basis from the year 2005-06 aiming at ensuring production and multiplication of high yielding certified/quality seeds of all crops and making them available to the farmers. Accordingly, during the XII plan, Seed Village Programme is included in a SUB-MISSION ON SEEDS AND PLANTING MATERIAL (SMSP) UNDER NATIONAL MISSION ON AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND TECHNOLOGY (NMAET)

 

Objective:  The Seed Village scheme ensures supply of quality certified seed of notified varieties to the farmers in time at their places at affordable prices besides ensuring quick multiplication of new seed varieties in a shorter time in that mandal /district based on the crop situation.

 

                        Compact area approach needs to be followed under this scheme.  The number of farmers for a unit of 10 Ha. may be minimum of 25 and also subject to a maximum of 150.

 

Funding Pattern: 60% Central share and 40% State share.

 

The following incentives will be provided to farmers under this scheme as per GOI norms.

• Supply of Foundation seed on 50% subsidy for cereals and 60% subsidy for oilseeds and pulses.
• Trainings: 3 one day trainings will be conducted to the farmers on seed

 production technology.

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME

Supply of Foundation seed on 50% subsidy for cereals and 60% subsidy for oilseeds and pulses

 

• Approach: It is necessary to identify the areas of better seeds production and a compact area approach needs to be followed under this programme.  Suitable minimum 25 willing farmers for same crop/Variety will be identified / selected preferably in compact area / cluster approach .

 

• Unit size: The unit size of all crops is 10 Ha. of compact area.

 

• Selection of  Villages: The Village that is selected is preferably  a  Major Gram

   Panchayath of that mandal having 2 or more than 2 Crops as Major Crops or

  a Crop  which is grown in larger area in that Mandal.  The Village with good

   fertility,  sufficient ground water facility and best suited for seed production

   should be  selected.

 

        

More than one unit of SVS may be organized in the selected village by which it is easy to implement the scheme and monitor the Scheme effectively.

 

• Selection of crop/Variety: The crop and variety selected for seed village scheme should have local demand, which can be disposed off completely in that area and the varieties which are in the list of varieties approved by the seed variety selection committee.

Selection of Variety should be based on the requirement in the village, in the                             immediate season i.e Kharif to Rabi and Rabi to Kharif.

• Supply of Seeds:  Required foundation/certified seed will be distributed on 50%  subsidy for cereals and 60% subsidy for oilseeds and pulses to the already identified farmers covering 20% SC, 10% ST and 70% general farmers and overall 33% women farmers.
• Source of supply of seeds: The required foundation/certified seed of the crops / varieties decided / identified will be purchased from State Seed Farms / APSSDC/ ANGRAU and AP OILFED.

 

Guidelines for organization of Trainings under SVP:

Training will be provided on seed production and seed technology to farmers for the crops grown in the seed villages. The Number of farmers per each training is 50 ( SVS farmers) for both Kharif-17 and Rabi 2017 -18. The trainings will be conducted by the FTC Officials.

• The first one day training will be given to the farmers at the time of sowing of

   seed crop.  During this training seed production technique, isolation distance,

   sowing practices, other agronomic practices to be followed for the given

   crop will be taught to the farmers.

 

• The second one-day training will be organized during flower initiations stage of the seed crop.  The seed growing farmers will be trained to identify off types, rogues and its removal of these plants from the seed plots and to maintain the quality of seed production and other agronomic practices, plant protection measures and harvesting methods to be followed by the farmers.

 

•   The third one day training will be organized / provided after harvest and at the time of seed processing to impart knowledge on seed cleaning, seed grading, seed treating, seed storage, seed packaging aspects and how to draw the representative seed sample and Sending the seed sample for seed testing or local seed testing method to assess the seed germination .

 

 

Details of expenditure to be incurred for three days trainings is as fallows.

S.No.	Items	Amount in(Rs.)
1	For 50 participants one Lunch and tea, biscuits twice a day for 3 days @ Rs. 50/- per day per participant (50X3X50)	7500
2	Stationery / publicity material @ Rs. 30 per participant to be supplied in local languages in one time only (50X30)	1500
3	Charges for  arrangements for trainings like Chairs, Shamiana , preparation of field boards & banners  etc . (1500X3)	4500
4	Honorarium to resource person @ Rs. 300/- per day for 3 days.	900
5	Other contingency charges	600
	Total	15,000

 

The literature / publicity material              can be printed invariably in Govt. press like Mahila  pranganam , Jails etc at district level only.

 

Strict Monitoring of the Scheme: The MPEO,AEO, MAO, ADA® & JDA invariably have to visit the Seed Village on every Tuesday (As Existing)  and  guide the farmers about identification &  removal of off types and rouges.

The  MAO  should   see  that the seed that is produced in SVP units should  go into the seed chain.

Certified Seed Production

Seed is the critical input of agriculture production. The availability of quality seed is a critical determinant in increasing Agricultural production. The performance and efficiency of other inputs depends on the availability of quality seed. Certified seed plays an important role in achieving higher yields.

Funding Pattern: 60% Central share and 40% State share.

 

The following incentives will be provided to farmers under this scheme as per GOI norms.

• Supply of Foundation seed on 75% subsidy for Groundnut crop.

 

• Trainings: 3 one day trainings will be conducted to the farmers on seed

       production technology.

• Financial assistance @ 50% of seed certification actual charges or maximum of Rs.600/ha whichever is less (Rs.0.60 lakh for 100 ha. area) will be provided.

 

Supply of Seeds:   75% financial assistance will be provided for production of certified seeds in 1 acre per farmer for Groundnut  crop.

 

Seed Certification charges :  Financial assistance @ 50% of seed certification actual charges or maximum of Rs.600/ha whichever is less (Rs.0.60 lakh for 100 ha. area)will be provided.

 

Farmers Trainings: Financial assistance @ Rs.15000 per groups (of 50-150 farmers each groups) will be provided for farmers trainings on seed production and post harvest seed technology. The expenditure to be incurred for three days trainings is as follows.

Details of expenditure to be incurred for three days trainings is as follows:

S.No.	Items	Amount in(Rs.)
1	For 50 participants one Lunch and tea, biscuits twice a day for 3 days @ Rs. 50/- per day per participant (50X3X50)	7500
2	Stationery / publicity material @ Rs. 30 per participant to be supplied in local languages in one time only (50X30)	1500
3	charges for  arrangements for trainings like Chairs, Shamiana , preparation of field boards & banners  etc . (1500X3)	4500
4	Honorarium to resource person @ Rs. 300/- per day for 3 days.	900
5	Other contingency charges	600
	Total	15,000

 

Reporting and  Monitoring                                                     

The monthly progress of the Certification should be submitted to the Office of DA. At District level , the Certification  shall be done   by seed certification Officer in co operation with the Mandal Agricultural Officer and monitoring will be done by the ADAs concerned and inturn by  JDA of the district.

 

The  MAO  should   see  that the certified seed that is produced in SVP units should  be procured by APSSDC which in turn will be supplied to farmers under subsidy seed programme .

 

Audit:                                                        

Year wise Statement of Expenditure has to be duly audited by the competent authority along with a Utilization certificate in GFR 19 A prescribed by GOI.  Season wise Expenditure reports & Utilization certificate should be submitted immediately at the end of Kharif & Rabi Seasons.      

Physical Targets Proposed for the Year 2017-18:

It is proposed to implement the Seed Village Scheme in 3126 units covering an area of 31260 Ha during 2017-184 with a targeted certified seed production of 6.32 lakh qtls.

Financial Target for the year 2017-18:

 The financial requirement for seed village scheme proposed for the year 2017-18 is Rs. 1833.33 Lakhs.

ACTION PLAN OF THE SEED REGULATION CELL FOR THE YEAR 2017-18:

• A focused annual target of 7825 seed samples is fixed on prorata basis out of which 80% samples will be drawn in Kharif 2017-18 before sowings attain full swing. The remaining 20% will be drawn during Rabi 2017-18. ( Annexure)
• The Pre-release Quality Assurance Programme will be implemented during this year 2017-18 also and the samples will be under law enforcement category and action in case of substandard seed will be dealt under applicable provisions of Seeds Act 1966 and existing seeds laws.
• Establishment of new DNA Lab is proposed at Amaravathi, Guntur to cater analytical services for identification of varieties, Genetic purity test, identification of events and quantity of Bt protein in GM crops besides testing all other crops for PMG analysis.
• Further in view of empowerment of existing notified seed testing labs, the seed samples of Bt cotton hybrid will be referred to STLs Yemmiganur and DNA Fingerprinting Lab, Malakpet under law enforcement category.
• A separate target of 1110 seed samples of Cotton is included in the seed samples target.
• In view of previous year experiences in case of chilly field complaints separate target of 525 seed samples of Chillies are also included in the annual targets of seed samples.
• The Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued G.O. MS. No. 19 in which detailed operational guidelines were issued for the maintenance and verification of R&D units in the state.
• Proposals were submitted to the cabinet for approval and to bring an enactment of “AP Seeds Act 2017 duly rectifying the defects in the existing “The Seeds Act 1966”.
• Action in case of seed samples declared substandard wherein, instead of restricting legal action to the particular district only, the particulars of seed lots declared not conforming to prescribed standards is communicated to all the district Joint Directors of Agriculture for uniform action in respect of seed lot and to draw samples and initiate action accordingly.
• It is proposed to strengthen the notified Seed Testing Labs as well as Single Window Diagnostic Labs including DNA Fingerprinting Lab in respect of equipment / instruments and chemicals for which a budget of Rs. 7.01 Crores has been released under RKVY and will be utilized during 2017-18.
• Targets for the Single Window Diagnostic Facility Seed Testing Labs is fixed as 600 seed samples per year, with a view to increase drawl of samples under service category by the extension staff and also by farmers so as to ensure quality seed availability to the farmers.
• Trainings to Seed Inspectors on Seed quality regulation and also to the Seed Analysts on seed testing procedures will be imparted.
• All the Joint Directors of Agriculture in the state will be alerted to take-up frequent inspections followed by necessary action seeking detentions, seizures, booking cases etc. during the peak season to curb flow of spurious seeds.
• All the Joint Directors of Agriculture in the state are being continuously pursued to prosecute the accused in all the cases of substandard seed samples as per procedure in time.
• A Supply plan of about 40 lakh packets of Bt. Cotton seed was kept ready to position in all districts for the year 2017-18 against an expected area of 6 Lakh Ha.

Annexure
Month-wise Season-wise Targets for drawl of Seeds samples in Andhra Pradesh  for the year 2017-18
S.No.	District	Annual Target				Kharif Target					Rabi Target			Grand Total
		Other Crops	Chillies	Cotton	Total Target	May	June	July	August	Total	Sept	Oct	Total
1	Srikakulam	250	5	10	265	75	90	40	20	225	30	10	40	265
2	Vizianagaram	280	5	10	295	80	95	45	25	245	38	12	50	295
3	Visakhapatnam	265	5	5	275	75	95	40	20	230	33	12	45	275
4	East Godavari	640	10	20	670	135	195	120	70	520	100	50	150	670
5	West Godavari	490	5	20	515	115	160	78	36	419	69	27	96	515
6	Krishna	530	60	70	660	155	193	100	63	511	94	55	119	660
7	Guntur	675	250	425	1350	380	378	194	118	1100	180	70	250	1350
8	Prakasham	320	105	125	550	123	80	67	180	450	70	30	100	550
9	Nellore	320	0	20	340	50	10	40	50	150	100	90	190	340
10	Kurnool	890	50	300	1240	372	267	191	154	984	168	88	256	1240
11	Ananthapur	830	5	75	910	290	190	115	105	730	130	50	180	910
12	Kadapa	360	15	30	405	123	100	70	30	323	60	22	82	405
13	Chittoor	340	10	0	350	112	84	56	28	280	49	21	70	350
GRAND TOTAL		6190	525	1110	7825	2115	1937	1186	929	6167	1121	537	1658	7825