UPSC Prelims 2015 Q97: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
Which one of the following best describes the main objective of 'Seed Village Concept'?
- (a) Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
- (b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
- (c) Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
- (d) Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies
Answer: (b) Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost
Explanation
Seed Village Concept
In a seed village, a group of trained farmers grow quality seed of chosen crops.
They meet their own needs and supply neighbouring farmers on time and at a fair price.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Aim | Raise the seed replacement rate with good-quality seed |
| Training | On seed production, processing and storage |
| Support | Foundation seed given at a subsidy |
| Benefit | Quality seed available locally, at the right time and at low cost |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) Using own farm seeds and discouraging buying from others | Incorrect |
| (b) Training farmers in quality seed production to make quality seeds available to others | Correct |
| (c) Earmarking some villages exclusively for certified seeds | Incorrect; 'exclusively' is wrong |
| (d) Identifying entrepreneurs to set up seed companies | Incorrect |
Answer: (b) training farmers in quality seed production and supplying quality seeds to others.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The aim is not to discourage farmers from buying seed.
- (b) CORRECT. It involves training farmers to produce and supply quality seeds affordably.
- (c) Incorrect. Villages are not set aside exclusively for certified seed.
- (d) Incorrect. It is about farmers, not about setting up seed companies.
Key point
Seed Village: trained farmers produce quality seed for themselves and neighbours, raising the seed replacement rate at low cost.
Remember
Seed Village = farmers trained to grow quality seed.
Common mistakes
- Reading it as self-reliance only, without supply to others.
- Accepting 'exclusively' in option (c).
- Confusing it with seed banks that only store seed.
Exam tip
Seed village = farmers as seed producers for their own area.
Sources
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare — Seed Village Programme guidelines
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research — Seed production and seed replacement rate