Why in news?
On 27 October 2025, the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated a state‑of‑the‑art seed processing and packaging unit at the National Seeds Corporation’s (NSC) headquarters in New Delhi. He also virtually inaugurated five new seed processing plants in Bareilly, Dharwad, Hassan, Suratgarh and Raichur, launched the Seed Management 2.0 system and an online seed‑booking platform for farmers. The initiatives aim to ensure farmers have timely access to high‑quality seeds and to increase transparency in seed distribution.
Background
The National Seeds Corporation Limited was established in 1963 to produce and supply foundation and certified seeds of various crops. It operates under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and is a Schedule ‘B’ Mini Ratna Category‑I public sector company owned entirely by the Government of India. NSC plays a critical role in strengthening seed supply chains, implementing national agricultural schemes and providing technical support to state seed corporations.
Functions and recent initiatives
- Seed production and distribution: NSC produces foundation and certified seeds of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and flowers. It maintains the SAARC seed bank and coordinates with state agencies to ensure seeds reach farmers across India.
- Support to government schemes: The corporation supports programmes such as the National Mission on Oil Seed and Oil Palm, the National Food Security Mission and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture by providing quality seeds and technical assistance.
- New processing plants: The new vegetable seed processing facility at Beej Bhawan, Pusa, has a capacity of one tonne per hour. The newly inaugurated plants in other states have capacities of four tonnes per hour each and are equipped with modern machinery for cleaning, grading and packaging.
- Seed Management 2.0 and online booking: The digital platform allows farmers to order seeds directly from NSC, improving transparency and accessibility. It also helps track seed production, storage and distribution in real time.
- Focus on small farmers: The minister emphasised that high‑quality seeds must reach small and marginal farmers. The new initiatives aim to curb spurious seeds and raise production standards while promoting self‑reliance in agriculture.
Conclusion
Quality seeds are fundamental to agricultural productivity and food security. The National Seeds Corporation’s expanded infrastructure and digital platforms are expected to enhance seed quality, streamline distribution and empower farmers across India.
Source: Press Information Bureau