Seed Certification
- It is process designed to maintain and make available to the farmers continous supply of high quality seeds and propagating materials of notified kinds and varieties of crops, so grown and distributed to ensure the physical identity and genetic purity.
- It is legally sanctioned system for quality control of seed multiplication and production.
- The main function is to encourage the production of adequate quantities of genetically pure and good quality of seeds, particularly high potential, improved and hybrid varieties of different crops.
Eligibility Requirement for Seed Certification
Seed of only those varieties which are notified under Section-5 of the Indian Seed Act, 1966 shall be eligible for certification. Any variety to become eligible for seed certification should meet the following requirement:
- General Requirement-
(a) Should be notified variety under Section-5 of Indian Seed Act, 1966.
(b) Should be in production chain and its pedigree should be traceable. - Field Standard: It includes the selection site, Isolation requirements, spacing, planting ratio, border rows, etc.
- Specific requirement: Presence of off types in any seed crop, pollen shedders in sunflower, Sorghum, Bajra, etc.
- Seed Standards: Minimum seed certification standards have been evolved crop wise.
