UPSC Prelims 2014 Q94: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
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 case of low - value and high - volume
crops.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) None
Answer: (b) 3 only
Explanation
Constraints on raising the Seed Replacement Rate
The Seed Replacement Rate is the share of crop area sown with certified or quality seed, not with seed saved by the farmer.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place | Incorrect | A National Seeds Policy has existed since 2002 |
| 2. There is no participation of private-sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and horticultural crops | Incorrect | Private companies dominate the vegetable and hybrid seed market |
| 3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low-value and high-volume crops | Correct | Private firms avoid crops such as wheat, paddy and pulses, where profit is low |
Seed chain:
| Stage | Produced by |
|---|---|
| Breeder seed | ICAR institutes and agricultural universities |
| Foundation seed | State and national seed corporations |
| Certified seed | Sold to farmers |
Answer: (b) 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. A National Seeds Policy exists, and private companies do take part.
- (b) CORRECT. The real constraint is the demand-supply gap in low-value, high-volume crops.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; the private sector is very active in vegetable seeds.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 is a real constraint, so 'None' is wrong.
Key point
Seed Replacement Rate: share of area under quality seed; held back by the supply gap in low-value, high-volume crops. National Seeds Policy, 2002.
Remember
Seed gap is in low-value, high-volume crops.
Common mistakes
- Accepting 'no policy' and 'no participation'; both are absolute and false.
- Not knowing the seed chain: breeder, foundation, certified.
- Forgetting that private firms prefer hybrids and vegetables.
Exam tip
'There is no ...' statements about Indian policy are usually wrong. A policy nearly always exists.
Sources
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare — National Seeds Policy, 2002
- Planning Commission — Twelfth Five Year Plan, Volume II (Agriculture: seeds)