He was speaking at a function organised by the Karnataka State Seeds Certification Agency on Tuesday.

While the demand for certified seeds was 109 lakh quintals in 2000-01, it is estimated to increase to 140 lakh quintals in 2010. Filling this vacuum created by lack of availability of certified seeds was low quality seeds sold by private companies. This coupled with ignorance of farmers regarding seed technology had affected the food production adversely, Dr. Chengappa said.

The problem was exacerbated because private institutions, a major player in the field of certified seeds, produced only commercially viable seeds, therefore affecting production of seeds for wheat, rice, ground nut and pulses.

K.J. Devendrappa, director, Karnataka State Seeds Certification Agency, said that if the State were to double food production by the end of the 11th Plan, productivity per acre had to be increased. “Using certified seeds gains importance as the productivity will increase by 25 to 30 per cent,” he said.

Emphasising the low position the State in certified seeds production, he said that while Uttar Pradesh produces 30.14 lakh quintals, Rajasthan 13 lakh quintals and Andhra Pradesh 12.81, Karnataka produces a mere 2.95 lakh quintals.

A. Rajanna, director, Agriculture Department, said that about 8.5 lakh quintals had been estimated as the demand for certified seeds in the new year. “We are working out the demand in every district. We cannot meet the entire demand because it depends on weather factor.”

Source: The Hindu