Krishi jagran agriculture world november 2015 by Krishi Jagran

Volume I | Issue 11 | November-2015 | `70

AGRICULTURE

W RLD SEED

INDUSTRY

SYNTHETIC SEED TECHNOLOGY

SEED - THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE GROWTH

A MIRACLE OILSEED CROP OF INDIA

SMALL SEED BIG BUSINESS

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AGRICULTURE

W RLD Volume 1 Issue 11 November 2015

contents 06

SYNTHETIC SEED TECHNOLOGY

SMALL SEED BIG BUSINESS

Used For Sowin as A Seed and That Possess The Ability To Convert Into A Plant

Seed industry has grown from the past labor-intensive to modern industry monopolizing competition globalizing

18 26

A MIRACLE OILSEED CROP OF INDIA Niger oil is good absorbent of fragrance of ﬂowers due to which it is used as a base oil by perfume industry

AGRO-CLIMATIC DIVISION FOR BETTER SEED AND CROP PRODUCTION Essential to know the agroclimatic divisions of our country, useful not only for crops but also for choice of the types of animal husbandry

SEED IS THE KEY FACTOR IN INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY AND PRODUCTION Production and productivity is mainly dependent on quality seeds in generating employments and growth of allied sector

SEED THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE GROWTH

CHALLENGES AND SCOPE INDIAN OILSEED SECTOR

Seed is the basic and most critical input for sustainable agriculture depends on quality of seeds toa alrge extent

Oil seed crops play the second most important role in Indian agriculture after food grains

Pollinated Seeds Vinod Kumar Gaur CMD, NSC

Low Volume High Value Rajesh Kumar Singh Jt Secretary (Seeds)

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ynthetic seed may be a new a term for most people in the agricultural science, at least in India, though intense research on it has been going on for the last een years in many parts of the world. However the practical implementation is yet to come as there are many hurdles to be overcome. e work on synthetic seed was initiated in the last decade of the last century but we can be sure that in the near future we will have synthetic seeds in the hands of the farmers for most of the crops. e article by Sukhdeep Singh and Team. from Haryana Agricultural University presents the prospects of producing synthetic seeds in a number of crops to begin with. Alluding to the smallness of seed and the vastness of seed companies spread throughout the world Alex Wu, Editor of AgroPages in his article presents a birds eye view of the present scenario of the seed industry. Beginning with the global scenario of seed industry he enumerates the top ten seed industrialists in the world along with their major activities during the year 2013 to 15. Further he highlights the need for the diversi cation of genetic resources, R&D bodies and Laws and regulations to be made complete. Crop growth is mainly governed by the climatic conditions of a place where they are grown. India is blessed with 15 agro-climatic regions and its greatest advantage is that it can grow all the crops in the world. Further it is divided into ve regions depending on the length of the growing seasons. A third criteria for the agricultural division of our country is the moisture availability. To the seed industries the knowledge of these agro-climatic divisions of our country will enhance business prospectus. Dr. K. T. Chandy highlights these aspects in his article Agro-Climatic Division for better Seed and Crop Production for the bene t of the seed industries. Niger is a minor oilseed crop easily grown under rain fed conditions and in poor soils conditions especially on hill slopes. It is used for human consumption in the form of oil, which is pale yellow with nutty taste and a pleasant odor. Beginning with such qualities R. G. Upadhyay & Co., of Department of Agro-meteorology, College of Forestry, VCSG UUHF, Bharsar, Ranichauri Campus, Uttarakhand in their article provides a detailed agronomic practices of the crops Niger. is is followed by the article on Suraj Cropsciences Limited: Emerging Agri. Business Organization which has developed a new variety of bottle gourd called Devraj (SCLH-1053), two wheat varieties called Ganga Gold (SCW103) and Narmada Super (SCW-104). ey seem to be very promising varieties. Chander Mohan in his article on Seed: e First Step towards the Growth begins with three components which are basic to success in agriculture: the soil, seed and shram (the hard work). He reminds us that the seed is the basic and most critical input for sustainable agriculture. Towards later half of last century a major re-structuring of the seed industry was carried out by Government of India through the National Seed Project in three phases mainly to strengthen the seed infrastructure. Further he briefs about the state and national level seed companies both private and public and their share of seed business in India and ends with a brief on the global seed market scenario. M C Dominic Editorâ&#x20AC;?inâ&#x20AC;?Chief dominic@krishijagran.com

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Synthetic Seed Technology

SYNTHETIC SEED TECHNOLOGY Synthetic seeds are defined as artificially encapsulated somatic embryos, shoot buds, cell aggregates, or any other tissue that can be used for sowing as a seed and that possess the ability to convert into a plant under in vitro or ex vitro conditions and that retain this potential also after storage. In simple words, synthetic seed contains an embryo produced by somatic embryogenesis enclosed within an artificial medium that supplies nutrients and is encased in an artificial seed covering. INTRODUCTION The technology designed to combine the advantages of clonal propagation with those of seed propagation and storage. Also, be as channel for new plant lines produced through biotechnology advances. The first synthetic seeds were produced by Kitto and Janick (1982) using carrot somatic embryos. Somatic embryo as a means of clonal propagation system has advantages over the natural seeds viz., freeness from seed borne pests, propagating the heterozygous plants that are meiotically unstable, eliminating the need of parental lines in hybrid seed production, maintenance of self-incompatible lines etc. However, somatic embryos could not be used like natural seeds because of the fact that the somatic embryos lack the protective coats and the reserved nutrient sources. In order to overcome these hurdles, the synthetic seed

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technology has been evolved in 1980s, wherein the somatic embryos could be used as functional seeds by encapsulating them in suitable matrix that will act as protective coat and synthetic endosperm containing carbon sources, nutrients, growth regulators and antimicrobial agents etc., necessary for embryoto-plant development. Thus the 'synthetic seeds' or 'synseeds' or 'artificial seeds' or 'somatic seeds' are functionally defined as “somatic embryos engineered to be of use in commercial plant propagation”. As the technology advanced, the concept of synthetic seed was extended to other micro propagules like shoot buds, shoot tips, organogenic or embryogenic celli etc. wherein these micro propagules were successfully encapsulated in suitable matrix and used like natural seeds in crops like banana, mulberry, apple etc. Thus, the concept of synthetic seeds has been set free from its bonds to somatic embryogenesis. The NOVEMBER 2015

term not only refers to its use (storage and sowing) and product (plantlet) but also to other techniques of micro propagation like organogenesis and enhanced axillary bud proliferation system. Looking to these recent advances in synthetic seed technology, the 'synthetic seeds' or 'synseeds' or 'artificial seeds' or 'somatic seeds' could be redefined as “artificially synthetic Seed technology, somatic embryos, shoots, or other plant tissues which could be used for sowing under in vitro or ex vitro conditions, that are able to grow into plantlets after sowing”. Characteristics of synthetic seeds 1.

High volume, Large scale propagation method

Maintains genetic uniformity of plants

Direct delivery of propagules to the field, thus eliminating transplants

Lower cost per plant-let

Rapid multiplication of plants

PRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC SEEDS The micro propagules used for production of synthetic seeds should be of uniform size and of same stage (especially in case of somatic embryos). Somatic embryos of uniform size and stage could be separated www.krishijagran.com

Synthetic Seed Technology out from mass of somatic embryo culture using s u c ro s e g r a d i e n t . I n c a s e o f s h o o t buds/auxiliary buds/apical buds, they were cut into uniform size (2-3 mm) and were given standardized pre-treatment before encapsulation to induce rooting. Once the micro propagules of same stages and uniform sizes are separated, the synthetic seeds could be produced by encapsulating them in suitable material.

Procedure for synthetic seed production The somatic embryos for synthetic seeds are produced in the lab through culturing of somatic cells and treating with different hormones to produce root and shoot. The following are the different steps involved in artificial seeds production; 1)

1. Desiccated Synthetic Seeds Desiccated synthetic seeds consist of somatic embryos encapsulated in water-soluble resin. After the selection of suitable micro propagules, they were mixed in suitable coating mixture like polyoxy-ethylene and dropped on Teflon surface so that each droplet of the coating mixture is with at least one micropropagule. Then the droplets are allowed to dry for several hours in a sterile hood. The dried droplets could be used as natural seeds. The main disadvantage of this method is that we get clumps of encapsulated micro propagules, and simulations of syn-seeds will be a-problem. 2. Hydrated Synthetic Seeds Hydrated synthetic seeds consist of somatic embryos/other micro propagules individually encapsulated in a hydrogel. This is the most widely used method of synthetic seeds production. A number of substances have been tested as hydrogels but sodium alginate gel is the most popular. To produce hydrated synthetic seeds, the somatic embryos/micro propagules are mixed with sodium alginate gel (0.5-5.0% w/v) and dropped into a calcium salt solution (CaCl2 30-100 mM) using the suitable pipette, where ion-exchange occurs and sodium ions were replaced by calcium ions forming calcium alginate beads or capsules surrounding the somatic embryos. The size of the capsule is controlled by varying the inner diameter of the pipette nozzle and viscosity of the alginate solution. The size of the bead increases with increasing the inner diameter of the pipette and with increased viscosity of the alginate solution. The hardness of the capsule could be modulated with the concentrations of sodium alginate and calcium chloride as well as by altering the duration of complexing, as both have direct influence on the capsule hardness.

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Est ablish somatic embryogenesis 2)

Mature somatic embryos

Synchronize and simulate somatic embryos

Mass production of embryos

Encapsulation of matured somatic embryos

Desiccation

Field planting

APPLICATIONS OF SYNTHETIC SEEDS  Propagation of heterozygous plants that are meiotically unstable and elimination of the need for parental lines in hybrid seed production as it may be multiplied by application of synthetic seed technology: At present the hybrid seeds in different crops were produced using CGMS/GMS/hand emasculation and pollination system that requires maintenance of three line/two line systems respectively and there is always chance for the presence of pollen shedders selfed seeds in the hybrid seed lots. By applying the 'synthetic seed technology' for the hybrid seed production, the problem of maintaining parental lines could be overcome and also the chance of admixtures in the produced hybrid seeds could be completely checked. In addition, the area devoted for seed

2015 NOVEMBER

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production could be diverted for the crop production and the cost of hybrid seeds could be reduced by automation of the synthetic seed production.  Maintenance of self-incompatible lines and effective utilization of the self-incompatibility as 'hybrid seed production' tool: In Cole crops like cauliflower, self-incompatibility is exploited to produce the hybrids, where the parental lines used for production of hybrids are self-incompatible but are cross compatible and the self-incompatible parental lines are maintained and multiplied using the bud pollination method, which is laborious method coming in the way of timely supply of required quantity of quality seeds. By applying the synthetic seed technology for production of p a re n t a l l i n e s , t h e p ro b l e m o f maintenance and multiplication of selfincompatible line can be overcome. In addition, if the technology is applied directly to the production of hybrids, the cost of hybrid seeds could be comparatively reduced.  Clonal propagation of the tree species for effective afforestation: Production of true to type seeds in tree species is very difficult because of perennial nature of the tree crops, difficulties in identifying the off-types in early growth stages and meeting the isolation requirements. Hence, the clonal propagation through tissue culture is preferred in tree species. However, this technology fails in afforestation program in hilly areas where it is difficult for humans to reach and transplant the seedlings. Under such situations, using the synthetic seed technology, one can easily sow the synthetic seeds in the difficult terrains directly by airplanes (Air-sowing).  Freeness from seed-borne pests: As synthetic seeds are produced under aseptic conditions, the resulting seeds will be free from any seed-borne pests, provided the x-plant material used is free from such pests. Effective means of propagation for transgenic crops where the possibility of pollen escape is higher.

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Synthetic Seed Technology

Sukhdeep Singh Sivia, Baldeep Singh and Naval Kishor Kamboj CCS Haryana Agriculture University, Hisarâ&#x20AC;?125004, India. 1Corresponding Author EMail: sukhdeepsinghsivia@gmail.com

SUBSCRIPTION

YEAR

MONTHS

RATE

DISCOUNT

PER RATE

1 YEAR

840

140

700

2 YEARS

1680

380

1300

3 YEARS

2520

720

1800

5 YEARS

4200

800

3400

10 YEARS

120

8400

1400

7000

15 YEARS

180

12600

2100

10500

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NOVEMBER 2015

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Small Seed Big Business

SMALL SEED BIG BUSINESS ALEX WU

eed industry is the starting point of commercial agriculture, which being a fundamental and strategic industry naturally involves agricultural production capacity, increase farmer's income, and assurance of food security, improvement of national economy and people's livelihood. Since the founding of the first seed company, the world seed industry has developed for 270 years. Globally speaking, seed industry has grown from the past labor-intensive, management-extensive and capital-decentralized form into a modern industry integrating extensive technology, intensive capital, market-monopolizing and competition-globalizing. Overview of global seed market According to ISF and industry consultant report, the global seed market value increased from the $12 billion in 1975 to the $53.8 billion in 2014, which is 3.5 times growth over the last 40 years. In the 5 years ahead, the global seed market is foreseen to maintain fast growth, being expected to arrive at 9.4% CAGR from 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2020 to reach $92 billion in 2020. With the continued development of biological technology, global GM crop planting continues to grow. Thanks to GM crop's high yield, extensive adaptability, less reliance on chemical pesticide and higher nutrition value, commercial GM seed market has grown continuously since 1996. The GM seed market value went up from the $7.8 billion in 2007 up to the $14.8 billion in 2012 with growth rate having reached 90%. The GM seed market share also increased rapidly, from 25% up to 33 % (Figure 1). It is expected that by 2020 global GM seed market value will reach $31.3 billion. Territory statistics (Figure 2) suggests that seed market of North America ranked No.1 with market

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value of $17.6 billion and market share of 32%; Asia Pacific ranked No.2 with market value of $16.5 billion and market share of 31% which is very close to North America, followed by Europe ($9.7 billion and 18%) and Latin America ($4.7 billion and 9%). Country Statistics suggests that the top 10 ranked countries are US, China, France, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Germany, Argentina and Italy. The total market value of the top 10 amounts to $41.9 billion accounting for 78% of the world total, which shows a high degree of centralization of planting area. The traditional North American market and the emerging Asia Pacific market are developing in parallel. Crop statistics (Figure 3) suggests that cereal seed played a major role in 2014 with a market value of $25.3 billion and market share of 47%, followed by oil plant ($15 billion and 28%), fruit and vegetable ($7.6 billion and 14%). If calculated in crop category, corn market value turns out to be the largest having reached $12.2 billion with market share of 23%; wheat, rice and soybean are between $6 billion to 7 billion with market share of 11% 13%; rapeseed, cotton and sunflower are important oil plants, on top of soybean, being between $1 billion to 2 billion with market share of no more than 5%. Multinational's seed development strategy

higher economic level like the US, Netherland, Germany, France, Japan, UK, Denmark, Switzerland and Sweden. Later Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences, based upon traditional crossbreeding, have further utilized biological technology to breed GM single trait and multiple trait varieties to consolidate their monopoly position in the industry, having gradually pulled ahead from other seed companies. The 2014 top 10 global seed companies (Table 1) shows that companies who have invested in GM trait field captures larger market share and takes an advance opportunity of seed development in the future, which are represented by Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta, Dow AgroSciences and Bayer CropScience. The seed sales of the 5 companies of 2014 accounted for nearly half of the world seed market, having reached 46% of the world market value. Other companies focused on different aspects of seed business, where KWS specialized in normal seed varieties covering cereal and sugar beet seed; Limagrain and Land O'Lakes covered seed, biological research, food processing and healthcare; Japanese Sakata and DLF worked on horticultural seed and grass seed. To further enhance the competitive edge with respect to research, registration, production, sales and service of seed industry, the prime seed companies have launched series of investment, collaboration, mergers and expansion of business to promote a new round market deployment. The summary of the major business activities of each company in 2013-2015 (Table 2) reveals their respective product strategy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; besides continued key cereal seed research and commercialization process, stress is laid on new varieties and new trait; besides increase of capacity to grow market share, expedition of emerging market and sales channel is enhanced.

Since the founding of the first seed company Vilmorin in 1743 (now affiliated to Limagrain), world famous seed companies have been founded one after another over the last 100 years. In the 90's of last century, the issue of intellectual property rights continued to extend to crossbreeding sector. Largescale groups have participated in mergers of seed industry players, leading to lots of merger and acquisition activities, resulting in formation of a number of highly-developed multinational seed enterprises, who are mostly located in developed countries where seed industry began earlier with NOVEMBER 2015

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Small Seed Big Business 50

32.96%

30.00%

27.18%

28.42%

24.46%

25.08%

30 25

25.00%

14.8

13.3

11.2

10.6

20.00%

7.8

15.00%

20 15

10.00%

10 5

35.00%

31.22%

27.8

26.7

23.3

30.1

29.3

5.00%

0.00% 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Seed of GM crops ($ bn) Seed of conventional crops ($ bn) Market share of GM seed Fig. 1: Value changes of global seed market in 2007-2012

Future seed industry development Seed demand continues to grow, Genetic resources to be diversified Others Areas Latin 5.3,10% America 4.7, 9%

In the future, the world will experience global warming, decrease of cultivated land, increase of

Others 5.9 11% North America 17.6, 33%

Vegetables 7-6, 14%

Grain Crops 25.3,47%

Europe 9.7, 18%

Oil Crops 15,28%

Asia Pacific 16.5, 30% Fig. 2: Seed market value and shares of differentareas in 2014 ($ bn)

Fig. 3: Global Seed market value and shares of different crop types in 2014 ($ bn)

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rapeseed trait will take 11.7 years; 12 years for corn; 12.7 years for cotton; 16.3 years for soybean. It will take an extra 10 years for special crop varieties, which is a challenge to development of new trait seed. Laws and regulations to be made complete With the development of seed industry, relevant legal system has been established which regulates and promotes the commercialization of seed development. The challenge to EU seed market is caused by its market access-related policies. So far EU's only approved GM crop is MON 810 corn, which is banned by 9 member countries. EU law and regulation concern about the impact caused by GM crops to the biological diversity, diffused impact from GM trait to wild species and the impact from single trait to pest and weed resistance. In a foreseeable future, the laws and regulations of EU and some other countries that concern about human health, environment and agronomic trait will still affect the development of GM crops in many countries. The demographic dividend and market potential of emerging market are important driving force for the development of future seed industry. Different from the developed economy, emerging market is confronted with problems such as the weak research capacity, disconnected industry chain, incomplete law and regulation, insufficient product protection, quality resources under control of foreign investors, and etc. Therefore it is an urgent need to establish complete legal system for seed industry. In 2015 China will amend the Seed Law of PR China, which will position seed industry to

Table 1 Sales and global market share of top 10 seed companies in 2014 Ranking

Company

Global market share

Sales of seed business (US$ bn)

Monsanto (U.S.)

20%

10.76

DuPont (U.S.)

15%

8.07

Syngenta (Switzerland)

3.23

Groupe Limagrain (France)

1.61

Land O'Lake (U.S.)

1.61

KWS AG (Germany)

1.61

Bayer Crop Sciences (Germany)

1.08

Doe AgroSciences

16.1

Sakata (Japan)

5.4

DLF-Trifolium (Denmark)

5.4

Other Seed Companies

43%

231.3

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Small Seed Big Business Table 2 major business activities of each company in 2013-2015

In 1930, United States Patent and Trade Mark Office (PTO) issued the Plant Patent Act (PPA), offering patent protection for crop varieties from vegetative propagation and vegetative reproduction.  In 1970, US issued the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA), offering legal protection for the breeding achievement by private institutons, ehich facilitated privaterun firms to grow their market.  In 1980, United States patent and Trade Mark Office (PTO) authorized the first seed patent. Thereafter large seed companies started accumulation of genetic resources for breeding research in hopes of using biological technology to monopolize market.  In 2000, China issued the Seed Law of PR China, which is a breakthrough in the monopolized seed business operation by state-owned companies to enable diversified market players. 

Research and Development

Market Expansion

February 2013 - Sakata reached a cooperation agreement with American national watermelon association on Triploid watermelon varieties breeding project.

January 2013 – Tennessee Farmers Association (TFC), Regional Farm Supply Organization and Land O'Lakes, Inc., established Greenpoint AG, LLG in the United States by joint venture to provide agrichemical products and seeds of com. cotton, soybean, rice for growers.

April 2013 - Monsanto and Dow reached a technology sharing agreements to develop the next generation of insect resistant, herbicide resistant maize varieties.

February 2013 – Syngenta invested $77 million to expand the capacity of corn seed plant in Brazil, the capacity of this plant will be 4 times higher than the original in 2015.

April 2013 – Bayer and Holland KeyGene reached a product development agreement on new varieties of wheat, rapeseed, rice and cotton.

July 2013 – DLF acquired Pickseed USA to occupy a dominant position of produce and distribute lawn and forage crop seed products in the North American market.

April 2013 – Monsanto and Bayer reached agreements on the use of new genetically modified technologies, which included Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield, Intacta RR2 PRP from Monsanto and corn rootworm control technology and herbicide tolerant technology from Bayer.

March 2014 – Groupe Limagrain merged Bengal Seed Asia Company to expand South Asia seed market and especially to improve tropical maize seed market share.

September 2014 – Bayer invested and established the Memphis cotton research and development center.

December 2014 – Groupe Limagrain invested in Brazil wheat market to improve the wheat seed market share in Brazil and other countries of Latin America.

September 2014 – French seed company MOMONT transferred part of stock shares to KWS.

April 2015 – Arcadia Biosciences (U.S.), Bioceres, S.A. (Argentina) and Dow AgroSciences (U.S.) reached a cooperation agreement to expant the market of Latin America.

February 2015 – Mycogen Seeds of Dow AgroSciences company launched a news soybean com seed R&D Center in Puerto Rico.

Alex Wu Editor of AgroPages Email: alex@agropages.com

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NOVEMBER 2015

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INTERVIEW

Open Pollinated Seeds Demand Important for Food and Nutritional Security

SHRI VINOD KUMAR GAUR, CMD, NSC

eed is a critical and basic input for attaining higher crop yields and sustained growth in agricultural production. Distribution of assured quality seed is as critical as the production of such seeds. Unfortunately, good quality seeds are out of reach of the majority of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers mainly because of exorbitant prices of better seeds. In order to solve this problem, the Government of India established the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) in 1963 and the State Farmers Corporation of India (SFCI) in 1969. Thirteen State Seed Corporations (SSCs) were also established to augment the supply of improved seeds to the farmers. The Indian seed industry had exhibited impressive growth in the past and is expected to provide further potential for growth in agricultural production: The role of seed industry is not only to produce adequate quantity of quality seeds but also to achieve varietal diversity to suit various agro-climatic zones of the country. The policy statements are designed towards making available to the Indian farmer, adequate quantities of seed of superior quality at the appropriate time and place and at an affordable price so as to meet the country's food and nutritional security goals. Indian seeds programme largely adheres to limited generation system for seed multiplication. The system recognizes three kinds of generation, namely breeder, foundation and certified seeds. Breeder seed is the basic seed and first stage in seed production. Foundation seed is the second stage in seed production chain and is the progeny of breeder seed. The Agriculture World Team had an interaction with Shri Vinod Kumar Gaur, Chairman cum Managing Director of the National Seeds Corporation Limited (NSC), a Government of India Undertaking `Mini Ratna` Company, who spoke about the Seed scenario with a public sector view point. How NSC is able to compete with the other players in the market in the 600 varieties of seeds? NSC has strong presence of high volume low value segment to fulfill the needs of all classes of farmers. With large number of varieties, NSC can compete with other players having large quantum of certified seeds available at reasonable prices which cater to the need of farmers. State Seeds Corporations are also doing the business on similar lines but with estimated number of products and they alone are not able to fulfill the requirement of their

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NOVEMBER 2015

own state. NSC with large products occupies the position of one stop shop for seeds which farmers prefer to meet their all requirement from our place. What is the business mantra of NSC creating bonding with the Indian Farmer? The business mantra of NSC creating bonding with Indian farmers lies in its visit which aims prosperity of farming community. NSC's activities of seed production through grower's farmers are the first step in bonding with farmers. A faith is developed among farmers regarding quality assurance by NSC's long presence since 1963. A large quantum of certified seed produced through at farms of NSC and such grower farmers is sold to the farmers at reasonable sale price in market through dealers net work and also under various schemes of Government of India for the benefit of farmers. Any Innovations, improvisation NSC is involved for improvement in view of the Global Completion? There is no scenario of competition. Seed Act provision surety for farmers to take seed available from any place in the world which is beneficial for him. NSC deals mainly open and close pollinated variety and hybrids mainly developed by National Agriculture Research www.krishijagran.com

Management system which includes ICAR Institute and Agricultural Universities.

NSC`s market share in the seed market in view of other private manufacturers of seeds? In the recent past, Government of India has encouraged private sector in production and distribution of seed at local level. In all 500 small and medium seed companies are working in Indi. Still Corporation is able to maintain 5% share in the seed market in India. a) N S C a i m s t o s t r u c t u r a l l y strengthen its farms by developing irrigation systems bring more land under cultivate to ensure sound and healthy seed production of breeder and foundation stages to9 support certified seed production programme. b) NSC plans to venture in Agri. tourism concept at few farms and also popularize beneficial farming options for small land holders. www.krishijagran.com

What are the threats you are tackling in the business of the seeds? The threats in tackling in the business of seeds are: a. Initiation of private sector into high volume low value segment and persistent demand for subsidy eligibility. b. Seed procurement by State Government through tender system from seed companies not having adequate resources for quality seed production. c. Preferential treatment of State Seed Corporation by respective State Government and stoppage of subsidy centrally to NSC under some of the schemes. What about quality maintenance of seeds? The quality maintenance of seeds is the basic emphasis of NSC. With the own farms, NSC would be able to maintain quality of breeder and foundation seed, which are the root cause of quality deterioration which producing certified seeds. The quality of certified seed is maintained at every stage right from sowing to processing and packing. Large technical manpower with expertise in seed production and long experience in the seed industry is available with NSC particularly in quality seed production. Over and above, 99% of seed is produced under trial produced under third party certification system whose officer s of seed certifications agencies also supervise quality of different production and seed preposition. Up till now NSC has not opted for ISO certification, Why? It has opted long back ISO 9001:2008 and 14001:2014. Any CSR activities of NSC for the benefit of the Farming Community? CSR activities are being carried out for the benefits of farming community like planting of trees in rural areas, constructions of village 2015 NOVEMBER

road, schools etc. and assuring drinking water in rural areas for rural children. What are the future plans of NSC in view of seeds as well as farming community? Keeping in view of change in scenario from the variety of hybrids, NSC plan is to increase seed production of Maize, Sorghum, Bajra and vegetables besides production through MoU partners in order to cater the need of farming community. a. It is decided to switch over to the newer variety in all major crops in a gradual manner with reduction in production of older varieties specially in crops like paddy, wheat, groundnut, pulses etc. b. L a u n c h i n g o f p r o j e c t f o r intensification of marketing activity and NSC brand promotion. c. Business opportunities is explored in States where State Seeds Corporations are either not established or in infancy stage. d. Business opportunities in North Eastern States under BGREI. e. Entry into BT. Cotton segment. f. O r g a n i z i n g l a r g e s c a l e demonstration of the newer varieties to popularize the same among the farmers to enhance acceptability of the seeds of newer varieties. g. Enhancing the seed production, processing and marketing by expanding growers net work and through PPP. h. Providing training/ extension and other seed related services to the farmers. i. Erection of solar power fencing at farms to safeguard the crops from wild animals. j.

Establishment of Fodder Block Making Unit.

k. Establishment of Micro Irrigation Systems (Central Pivotal System, Sprinkler, Jet System, Drip Irrigation). Interviewed by

Chander Mohan Sr. Execu ve Editor, Krishi Jagran, New Delhi Email: cmohan@krishijagran.com

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Open pollinated seeds are also in great demand and mainly available even these seeds which are very important for food and nutritional security is not a small job. In order to streamline this, Government of India has recently merged another Corporation State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI) with NSC from 1.4.2014 with this about 22000 ha. Farms have become available with NSC which will help in preparation of breeder and foundation seeds required for multiplication of certified seeds. Farms are also working as production stations for Test Stock and this breeder seed become available to NSC at least one year in advance and with the release of variety, NSC is able to bring the seed in the market. NSC is tying up with multinational companies for their product and processing products are sold through NSC channels. As such, a situation of complementing and supplementing exists instead of going into competition.

c) NSC plans to undertake production and marketing to a level of 25 lakh qtls. which is presently at 16-17 lakh qtls. and reach a level of 7% in 2 years and 10% shall in next 5 years.

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SURAJ CROPSCIENCES LIMITED: Sura S j EMERGING AGRI-BUSINESS ORGANIZATION (NEW DEVELOPMENTS) Grow Together

Its R&D is well recognized by DSIR. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi, has cons tuted Ins tu onal Bio‐Safety Commi ee (IBSC) to monitor the regulatory compliances of Research in Biotechnology at Suraj Cropsciences Limited.

uraj Cropsciences Ltd. is Bio c Company formed in January‐2010 and is engaged in developing, producing and marke ng seeds of high yielding and improved & hybrids varie es of Field and Vegetable crops. Suraj Cropsciences is now Limited Company and also incorpora on in NSE and listed on 13th May under SME EMERGE ITP category.

BOTTLE GOURD: Devraj (SCLH‐1053) Plant: Growth Habit Fruit Length Fruit: Diameter Fruit: Shape Fruit: Neck Fruit: Skin Colour Fruit: Shape of Base at Blossom End Fruit: Shape of Apex at Peduncle End Fruit Pubescence

Long Viny (>5.5 m) Medium (20‐45 cm) Small (<8 cm) Elongate Straight Straight Light Green Semi Blunt Flat Absent

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SCL is focusing on enhancing produc vity of crop plants per unit resources with be er profitability to the growers & maximum sa sfac on to the consumers. SCL address emerging challenges like clima c change, water scarcity, post‐ harvest losses and input use efficiency through our innova ve products. R&D ac vi es are suppor ng seed business of SCL with strong commitment of improving produc vity and profitability of field and vegetable crops. SCL has placed highest emphasis on Gene c Enhancement (GE) program in order to develop superior recombinants and trait specific value added products by integra ng novel genotypes through conven onal plant breeding. Paddy, Co on, Wheat, Mustard, Okra and Bo le gourd are our mandatory crops for gene c enhancement and plant breeding research. Recently our R&D team had formulated & released (by its own variety/ Hybrid release commi ee) few upcoming products to be launched in recent future‐ WHEAT: 1. Ganga Gold (SCW‐103) a. M e d i u m h e i g h t &Maturity variety. b. Vigorous early growth habit. c. Long and bold spikes. d. Amber colour bigger grains. e. Highly resistant to brown & Black rust. f. Drought and heat tolerance. 2. Narmada Super: (SCW‐104) a. Dwarf and non‐lodging variety. b. Early maturity. c. Excellent chapa making quality d. Resistant to leaf and stem rust. e. Tolerant to drought and heat. f. Excellent for Late as well mely sowing

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Agro-Climatic Division for better Seed and Crop Production

ontrary to the common p e o p l e's thinking it is the climate that determines more the growth of the crops than the soil. Climate is the long-term pattern of weather at least for three months in a geographical area. It is measured by assessing the patterns of variations in temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological variables. In India more and more companies are entering into agribusiness by way of producing new the seeds by breeding or multiplication or production of various crops for the national and international markets. To work out a suitable cropping plan whether for seed production or production for crop market it is essential to know the agro-climatic 18

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divisions of our country. Knowledge of agroclimatic region is useful not only for crops but also for choice of the types of animal husbandry businesses in breeding and re a r i n g o f d o m e s t i c a n i m a l s . Companies in India need to enter into animal husbandry business as we see in other countries. Climates are classified based on potential evapo-transpiration and Based on the (A)potential evapo-transpiration and (B) length of the growing seasons India has been divided into four climatic zones and five classes of growing seasons. There are four climatic divisions and five major crop growing divisions in our country. A. Based on potential evapotranspiration NOVEMBER 2015

Under this climate has been classified on the basis of potential evapo-transpiration which represents a climatic index of plant development and a heat index of the agro-climate, soil moisture supply, plant cover and soil management. Among these, first two are of far greater importance than the other f a c t o r s . A c c o rd i n g t o t h i s classification, the country may be divided into four climatic regions, as detailed in table 1. Each of these regions are further explained as follows. 1. Arid region In the arid region, the rainfall is below 30 cm and fluctuation in rainfall is of the order of 49 per cent. One in every five is extremely lean year and one in five has abundance of rainfall. In other years the precipitation approaches normal but the distribution of rainfall is extremely uncertain even in the rainy season. Drought resistant types of crops like jowar, bajra etc. are grown during the monsoon season. Production of crop is www.krishijagran.com

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Table 1 : Climatic divisions of India based on Heat Index and moisture supply Sl. No

Climatic type

Index or potential Evapo- transpiration

Region & State covered

Arid

-40 to -60

West Rajasthan

Semi arid

-20 to -40

Northern & Eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat, Marathwada, Mysorte, Rayalaseema, Punjab, Delhi, Western U.P

Sub-humid

-20 to +20

Central U.P, Western & Central M.P, Vidarbha, Eastern U.P, Bihar, Sub-mountain tracts of U.P, H.P., West Bengal and nilgiri

Humid

+20 to 100

Konkan, Kerala, Coastal Madras, Assam, Orissa, West Bengal, Eastern M.P and coastal Andhra Pradesh

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Agro-Climatic Division for better Seed and Crop Production BIHAR

014 015 016 017 018 019

North West Alluvial Plain Zone North East Alluvial Plain Zone South Alluvial Plain Zone Central and North Eastern Plateau Zone Western Plateau Zone South Eastern Plateau Zone

-Pusa/Madhopur -Purnea/Kathiahar/ -Agwanpur -Sabour -Dumka -Chianki -Chatshila/Darisai

Gujarat 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027

South Gujarat Heavy Rainfall Zone South Gujarat Zone Middle Gujarat Zone North Gujarat Zone North West Zone North Saurashtra Zone South Saurashtra Zone Bhal and Coastal Zone

-Navsari -Baruch/Surat -Anand -Dantiwada -Bhachau -Targhadia -Junagadh -Arnej

HARYANA Eastern Zone

-Karnal

029

Western Zone

-Bawal/Hissar

030 031 032 033

-Dhaulakuan -Bajaura -Mashobra -Kukumseri

JAMMU & KASHMIR 034 035 036 037 038

Low altitude Sub-tropical Zone Mid to high altitude Intermediate Zone Valley Temperate Zone Mid to high altitude Temperate Zone Cold-arid Zone

-R.S. Fora -Rajori

North East Transition Zone North East Dry Zone Northern Dry Zone Central Dry Zone

043

Eastern Dry Zone

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Class II A In class II. A the average monthly temperature is 25.5oC or above for at least 2 months, and average minimum monthly temperature 9oC or above for at least 4 months. Warm and moderate temperature crops such as corn, rice, cotton and fruit crops are more suitable to this region. Class II B The average monthly temperature in class II. B in 18.3oC or above and average monthly minimum temperature 8.8 o C or above for at least 4 months. Warm and moderate temperature crops such as cotton, com, rice, sweet potatoes, melons and tobacco with small grains in season are generally cultivated. The average monthly temperature is l5.5o C or above and average monthly minimum temperature 8.8oC or above for at least 2 months. Moderate and cool temperature crops such as green beans, summer squash, cucumbers, onions, celery, peas, cabbage, potatoes and lettuce are suited to this region. CLASS III : One-half year growing season This is also known as one-half year growing season climate. Five months or more with average monthly temperature 10°C or above and average monthly minimum temperature of at least 2°C is prevalent in this region. Extreme north of Himachal Pradesh, Kulu valley, parts of Punjab and North of Jammu & Kashmir fall under this class III. Class IlI A

-Kludwani -Leh

Kamataka 039 040 041 042

In this region at least eight months with average monthly temperature 10°C growing season is available. Lower valley of Himachal Pradesh, part of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir fall under class II.

Class II C

028

HIMACHAL PRADESH Sub-mountane and Low hills sub tropical zone. Mild Hills sub-humid zone High Hills Temperate Wet Zone High Hills Temperate Dry Zone

CLASS II: Three quarter year growing season climate

-Bidar -Raichur -Bijapur -Sirsa/ -Bidaramana gudi -Hebbal/ -Chintamani NOVEMBER 2015

The average monthly temperature in class III B is 25.5°C or above for at least one month, and average monthly minimum temperature 8.8°C or above for at least 3 months. Warm weather, crops such as sorghum, sweet potatoes and melons, moderate temperature crops which resist high temperatures such as corn, soya beans, and small grains can be planted. Class III B The average monthly temperature

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Agro-Climatic Division for better Seed and Crop Production 044

Southern Dry Zone

-Nagamangaia

045

Southern Transition Zone

-Navile/

046

Northern Transition Zone

-Dharwar/ Hanumanmatti

047

Hill Zone

-Mudigere

048

Coastal Zone

-Brahmavar

-Shimoga

Kerala 049

Northern Zone

-Pilicode

050

Southern Zone

-Vellayani

051

Central Zone

-Pattambi

052

High Altitude Zone

-Arnbalavayal

053

Problem Areas Zone

-Kumerakom

a) Onattukara zone

-Onattukara

b) Kuttanadu kole zone

-Kuttanadu

c) Pokkali zone

-Kuttanadu

d) Low rainfall zone

-Kumarakam

MADHYA PRADESH 054 055 056 057

Chatisgarh Plain Zone

-Raipur -including Balagharh Distt. -Jagadalpur ' -Arnbikapur

058 059 060 061 062 063 064

Bastar Plateau Zone North Hill Zone Chatisgarh Kymore Plateau and Satpura -Jabalpur Hill Zone Vindhya Plateau Zone Central Narmada Valley Zone Gir~ Zone Bundelkhand Zone Satpura Plateau Zone Malwa Plateau Zone Nimar Valley Zone

-Sehor -Powarkhera -Morena -Tikamgarh -Chindwara -Indole -Khargone

065

Jhabua Hills Zone

-Jhabua

MAHARASHTRA 066 067 068 069 070 071 072 073 074 075 076 077

South Konkan Coastal Zone North Konkan Coastal Zone Western Ghat Zone Sub-mountane Zone Western Maharashtra Plain Zone Scarcity Zone Central Maharashtra Plateau Zone Central Vidharbha Zone Eastern Vidharba Zone ORISSA North western Plateau Zone North Central Plateau Zone North Eastern Coastal Plain Zone

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-Vengurla -Karjat -Igatpuri -Kolhapur -Pune -Sholpur -Aurangabad -Yavatmal ' -Sindhewahi -Kerai -Keenjhar -Raintal

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range from 15.5°C to 22.2°C and average monthly minimum temperature is 8.8°C for at least 3 months. Moderate temperature crops such as corn, soybeans, tomatoes, squash cucumbers and cantaloupes also small grains in season are cultivated. Class III C The average monthly temperature ranges from 15.5°C to 22.2°C and average monthly minimum temperature at least 8.8°C for 2 months or more. Moderate and cool temperature crops such as dry beans, summer squash, cucumbers, canning and fodder com, peas, beets, onions, celery, potatoes and small grains are planted. Class IV : One-third year growing season This is also know as one-third year growing season climate. The area has at least 2.5 months with average temperature 10°C or above and average monthly minimum temperature at least 1.6° centigrade . No portion of cultivated area is normally covered by class IV. Class IV A The average monthly temperature is 15.5°C or above and average monthly minimum temperature at least 8.8°C for at least 2 months. Short season moderate and cool temperature crops such as green beans, early sweet corn, summer squash, cucumbers, beets, potatoes, cabbage and small grains are cultivated. 5. Class V: Non agricultural climate This region has less than 2.5 months with average temperature of 10°C or above and average monthly temperatures of 1.6°C or above. Himalayan region, above the sea level on 9000 feet fall under class V. The land under this class are not generally suitable for cultivated crops, although some economic returns may be secured from forage, hay, wildlife or forest products. LIST OF AGRO-CLIMATIC REGIONS OF INDIA The Planning Commission, as a result of mid-term appraisal of the planning targets of VII plan (1985-1990) divided the country into 15 broad agro-climatic regions based on physio-graphy and climate. They are: 1.

Western Himalayan Region,

Eastern Himalayan Region,

Lower Gangetic Plains Region

Middle Gangetic Plains Region,

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Dr. K. T. Chandy He has authored 676 booklets on various topics coming under environment management and agriâ&#x20AC;?related subjects. He is on the Editorial Board of Krishi Jagran Media Group. Email: ktchandy@krishijagran.com www.krishijagran.com

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A Miracle Oilseed Crop of India

iger, a minor oilseed crop i.e important under rainfed conditions, coarse textured, grown in poor soils especially on hill slopes. Niger seed is used as a human food. The seed contains 37-47% oil, which is pale yellow with nutty taste and a pleasant odour. The oil and seeds are free from any toxin and oil taste is similar to Desi ghee. The oil is readily subject to oxidative rancidities rendering its keeping quality poor due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid 38% and linoleic acid 51.6%). The oil is used for culinary purposes, anointing the body, manufacturing paints and soft soaps and for lighting and lubrication. The niger oil is good absorbent of fragrance of flowers due to which it is used as a base oil by perfume industry .Niger oil can be used for birth control and treatment of syphilis. Niger sprouts mixed with garlic and 'Tej' are used to treat coughs. Niger seed cake is a valuable cattle feed particularly for milch cattle. Niger meal with 30% protein and 17% crude fiber in India could replaced linseed cake in calf ration. It can also be used as a green manure for increasing soil organic carbon.

with an area of nearly 2 lakh ha and production of about one lac tones with a productivity level of 500 kg/ha. In Ethiopia, it is cultivated on water logged soils where most crops and all other oilseed fail to grow and contributes a great deal to soil conservation and land rehabilitation. In India, niger is grown on an area of 0.52 million ha mainly during Kharif. However, in Orissa it is a Rabi crop. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa contribute more than 80% of area and production. Other states where niger is grown are Andhra

Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and West Bengal. Origin and history. The evidences suggest that niger originated in the highlands of Ethiopia, north of 10'N latitude. Cultivated Niger might have originated from the wild species Guizotia scabra subsp. Schimperi due to selection by Ethiopian farmers thousands of year ago. The genus guizotia has 6 species. All species except G.abyssinica are wild and are and are endemic to East Africa especially Ethiopia. From Ethiopia, the cultivated Niger

Table-1. Area, production and productivity of Niger in different states of India (2003-04) State

Area (000,ha)

Production (000t)

Productivity (kg/ha)

Andhra Pradesh

17.0

7.0

412

Assam

9.7

5.0

515

Chattisgarh

70.8

12.5

177

Jharkhand

27.5

5.3

193

Karnataka

7.0

1.0

143

Madhya Pradesh

112.2

25.8

230

Geographic Distribution

Maharashtra

54.0

17.0

315

India is the most important country according for more than 50% of world niger area and production. Niger constitutes about 50-60% of Ethiopian oilseed production,

Orissa

130.2

31.9

245

West Bengal

8.0

5.0

625

India

437.0

111.0

253

A MIRACLE OILSEED CROP OF INDIA

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Table- 2. Distribution and characteristic of Niger species Spices

Distribution

characteristic

Annual

Cultivation in east African and Indian sub-continent

G. scabra (vius. chiov. ssp) Native to Ethiopian highlands Schrni peri (sch.Bip.in walp.) bogg

Moderately branched weed especially in Niger cultivation with outer involural leaves ovate, shorter than disc center

G. villosoo sch. Bip

Distributed in northern and south- western Ethiopian highlands

Highly branches, weed of open pales

Perennial (G.scabra (vis.) chiov.Ssp.scabra

Distributed widely from Ethiopia to Ziumbabwe in the south to the Nigerian highlands in the west

Moderately branches scabrous, suffrutescent herb and differentiated from annual spp. schimperi in having outer involucral leaves lanceolate

G. reptans hutch

A rare spices with distribution restricted in mount elgon region in east Africa.

Sparsely branches a creeping, meet foming herb

G. zavattarii-lanza

Endemic in distribution around mount mega in southern Ethiopia and Hari hills of northern Kenya

An erect, glandulous predominantly shrub habit

G. arborescens L. frcis

Endemic to south west of Ethiopia and lmontong mountain on the borer between Sudan and Uganda

A rare arboreal species

is believed to have spread to India during third millennium BC along with other crops, such as finger millet. Niger's wide dispersal in India is indicated by the great variety of local names for the plant and seed.

– Sesame and Niger (JNKVV, Jabalpur) since 1967, has resulted in the release of several varieties suited to different agro ecological conditions.

Appropriate sowing period for Niger in different state in India is given in the following tables.

The Plant .Niger is an annual dicotyledonous herb with epigeal germination. The root system is well developed, with a central tap-root and its lateral branching. The stem of Niger is usually round smooth to slightly rough, hollow and moderately branched.

Land preparation Niger being a small seeded crop requires friable and leveled seed-bed to ensure uniform depth of planting and subsequent emergence. Good tilth for sowing is obtained by one or two ploughing followed by two harrowing wherever feasible. It is essential that the furrows run across slope to avoid soil erosion in the hill tops and slopy areas.

Niger is a small seeded crop and seed rate varies from 5-8kg/ha for sole cropping. Row width varies from 20 to 30 cm and intra–row spacing from 10-20cm. In Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, a spacing of 30×10 cm is adopted. However, in Bihar and Maharashtra, wider intra row spacing (15cm) is adopted keeping a row spacing of 30cm.

The fruit is an achene, small, 3-5mm in length and 1.5mm in width, almost lanceolate in shape without pappus. There are usually between 15 and 30 mature seeds/head occasionally more, and a varying number of immature seeds or pops at the centre. Crop Adaptation Niger is a crop of the cooler parts of the tropics. It grows well in mid altitude and highland areas (1600- 2000), 500 and 2290 m above mean sea level in Ethiopia. A rainfall of 1000-1300 mm is considered as the optimum. Growth is adversely affected in areas receiving rainfall above 2000 mm, but the plants can withstand high rainfall during vegetative phase. Hence it is most suitable crop for hilly regions of high rainfall and humidity. Soils. Niger can grow on a wide range of soil types, but thrives best on clayey loams or sandy clays. The soil prefers well drained soils in the Ph range of 5.2-7.3. Varieties. The breeding work carried out at different locations under All India Coordinated Research Projects on Oilseeds www.krishijagran.com

Seeding and Package and Practices for Niger Crop. Time of sowing – optimum sowing time for kharif crop is from mid of June to early August whereas rabi crop can be sown from September (semi rabi )to December (rabi).

Seed rate and treatment

Method of sowing The most usual of sowing is broadcast. However, line sowing using seed drill is recommended. When mechanical planter or drill are used, the seed should be sown 13cm deep, depending on soil type and the amount of soil moisture. Seed could be

Table-3. Niger varieties Recommended for Different Indian States State

variety

Madhya Pradesh

Birsa Niger-1, N-5, Ootacamund, Jawahar Niger composite -1

Andhra Pradesh

KRN-1 (No.71)

Bihar

Birsa Niger 1, N-5, Ootacamund

West Bengal

KRN-1, Sahyadri

Orissa

GA-10 (Shiva) (Deomali), Bhavani(GA-5), Sahyadri, KRN-1

Rajasthan/Maharastra/NEH/UP

Sahayadri (IGP-76)

Karnataka

Shrilekha

Gujarat

RCR-317

Tamil Nadu

Paiyur-1, KRN-1 2015 NOVEMBER

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A Miracle Oilseed Crop of India Table-4. Sowing time for Niger in Different Indian State

State

Optimum time of sowing

Andhra Pradesh

Second week of August

Bihar

Second fortnight of august September (after Kharif crop)

Karnataka

June –August

Madhya Pradesh

Second-third week of July

Maharashtra

July to early September

Orissa

Second fortnight of August-September third week of July –first week of August

placed in soil up to 10 cm depth in loose soil provided the drill furrow should not be completely filled. The seed should not be mixed with fertilizer, nor placed in contact

follows well crop in a rotation. Cropping system Niger is sown as a sole or mixed crop

with annual weeds, provided majority of weed are removed in pre-planting operations. Two weeding are generally adequate. Water management – Niger, kharib crop is seldom irrigated. Seedling stage is most critical for irrigation. However established Niger plant can withstand high soil moisture levels and recover to produce a good seed yield. Harvesting and threshing – Niger normally matures in about 80-145 days after emergence. Correct time of harvesting of Niger is important to avoid shattering . In India the crop is harvested when the dry up and the head turn blackish. After drying in the sun for about a week by stacking

Table- 5. Different Cropping System for Niger Crop for better Crop Production and Soil health State

Sequential cropping

Intercropping

Bihar

Littlemillet- niger; early fingermillet-niger

Nigers+fingermillets (2:2), niger+pigeonpea+(3:2), niger+soyabean+(2;1) niger +urbean (2;2);niger +groundnut (2;2)

Maharashtra

Fingermillet-niger horsegram-niger

Niger =urbean(3:3); niger +mungbean(2:2);niger +fingermillet (2:2); niger +groundnut (6:3)niger+ pearlmillet (3:3)

Orissa

Little millet-niger

Niger + soyabean (1:1,2:2); niger

Karnataka

Common millet-niger finger millet-niger

Pigeonpea (2:2); niger + finger millet (6:3); niger+ Groundnut; niger +castor

Madhya Pradesh

Niger + sunflower (4:2); niger+ mung bean(1:1); niger +groundnut (4:2,6:3); niger + sorghum

with it in the seed- bed. Seed must be sown into moist soil. Seed treatment Seed treatment is recommended to protect the crop from seed borne or to some extent soil brone diseases. The seed should be treated with thiram, captan or any other mercurial fungicide at the rate of 3kg/of seed prior to sowing. Nutrient management

with finger millet, castor, groundnut soybean sorghum, Mung bean, chickpea, sunflower etc. Niger is generally grown as the only crop in a year. In certain situation, this crop is rotated with little millet (penicum miliare), early finger millet, common millet (panicum miliaceam) etc. as given below: Weed management – Niger grow rapidly once the seedling are established, and its vigorous growth allow it to compete

It is generally grown on residual fertility in rabi or on fertilizer applied to associated crop. Nitrogen application seldom exceed 50kg/ha. At higher N application rates, seed oil content decreases. Since Niger is usually grown on the same land for many years either in pure stands or i n t e r c ro p p e d , 4 0 k g p 2 o 5 / h a i s recommended. However. Lower level of 10 kg p2o5/ha would be sufficient, when Niger

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on the threshing floor, the crop is manually threshed or threshed by bullocks. Yield – As a pure crop, a seed yield of 04.-0.5 tones/ha while as an intercrop 01.50.30 tones/ha can be obtained depending on the crop and the row ratio. The oil to seeds crushed is 28% and cakes to seeds crushed are 72%. The main yield attributes of Niger are given below. Table-6. Seed Yield of Niger Crop. Attribute

Value

Seed/head

15-30

1,000 seed weight

3-5

R.G.Upadhyay¹, S.K.Yadav², Priyanka Raturi³ and P.S. Negi Department of Agrometeorology, College of Forestry, VCSG UUHF, Bharsar Ranichauri Campus, U arakhand ¹Corresponding Author Email: dr_rgupadhyay@yahoo.co.in Mob. 8476004108

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Seed is the Basic Input to Increase Productivity SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH

am very happy to be here on the occasion of inauguration session of the Asian Seed Congress, 2015 being organized by Asia and Pacific Seed Association. It's a matter of great pleasure and privilege for us that APSA has chosen Goa as a venue for organizing this Seed Congress. This is very apt because India is now emerging as a big economic power and agriculture is one of the important sectors, which will substantially contribute to the growth of our economy. Requiring Quality Seeds It is well known that agriculture production and productivity is mainly dependent on quality seeds and organizing such an event would definitely help in increasing availability of quality seeds at regional, national and global level. The seed sector not only helps in improving the production and productivity of agriculture crops but it also helps in generating employments and growth of allied sectors like dairying, animal husbandry, fisheries, poultry, etc.

Shri Radha Mohan Singh Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Speech on Seeds at Asian Seed Congress, Goa

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Agriculture is the focus sector for the Government the Hon. PM has given the clarion call on the need to increase agricultural productivity with overall welfare of farmers, therefore Ministry has been renamed as Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare with a view to develop a holistic approach. The Government is committed to higher growth rate in agriculture through sustainable development and has developed key schemes to address the natural resource management including soil health card scheme, 'Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana', through 'Pradhanmantri Gram Sinchai Yojana'; enhanced water efficiency through 'Per Drop More Crop' and continued support to employment guarantee schemes, creation of a unified national agriculture market to boost the incomes of farmers. Role of Public & Private Sector One of the important features of the seed sector in India is that it has equal and important role played by both public and private sectors. Organizing of such events not www.krishijagran.com

only provide business opportunities to the seed industries but also provides feedback and inputs researchers and scientists for initiating new research and technology to overcome those constraints for the welfare of the agrarian society.

is one way ensuring the enhanced agricultural production and other hand supporting the entrepreneurship for while also providing opportunities excess quantity of quality seed of elite varieties to be exported to earn foreign exchange.

The Indian agriculture sector has made commendable progress during the last four decades and from a food deficient country in sixties, today we have become a food sufficient country. Baring pulses and oilseeds, we are surplus in many food crops and are able to feed our growing population.

The potential of the agriculture sector for rural rejuvenation cannot be neglected as about 60% of our country's population depends on agriculture for livelihood. Studies have indicated that one percentage growth in agriculture sector is two to three times more effective in reducing poverty than one percentage growth in other sectors. Therefore, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare aims to achieve the rejuvenation of this sector for farmer's welfare. The government has been taking various initiatives to counter the challenges faced by farmers.

Seed - The Key factor in increasing Productivity and Production

National Seed Production Programme and the New Policy on Seed Development It is a fact that well identified seed production area, professionally organized seed villages, and a vibrant private sector have made India a potential seed sourcing hub. All this would not have been possible without the policy support provided by Government of India, starting with the National Seed Production Programme, New Policy on Seed Development of 1988, which opened the gates for private sector participation in the seed business, to the National Seed Policy, 2002, opening up of FDI in seeds, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer's Rights Act, 2001 and the Biodiversity Act, 2002 etc. The adequate availability of quality seeds www.krishijagran.com

At present, the size of the domestic seed market is around Rs.15,000 crore, while India's share in the world seed market is less than 12%. However, the National Seed Policy aims to increase our share in the global seed trade to 10% of by 2020. The new Policy on Seed Development of 1988 has opened the gates for private sector participation in the seed business, to the National Seed Policy, 2002, opening up of FDI in seeds and India's participation in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guarantees that quality of seeds that can also be exported with less hurdles. Indian Seed Market and the Growth of Hybrid Seed of Vegetables The Indian seed market is rapidly growing, during the recent past and the hybrid seed market of vegetables has shown remarkable growth. We also give equal attention towards the development of high volume low price food, cereal crops, which are mainly handled by our public sector. Indian seed industry can become a major supplier of seed for the global markets. India has high potential for hybrid seed production with special reference to high value vegetable seeds at cheaper cost as compared to other countries, of its diverse agro-climatic zones, skilled/knowledge human resource and enterprise which offer opportunity

2015 NOVEMBER

We are continuously attempting to streamline the seed quality regulatory framework, in order to make it predictable, transparent and progressive, I would like to assure that Government of India is making all out efforts to help seed sector grow more, both domestically and in the international arena. We are committed to see the growth of this sector in a transparent and sustainable manner at a much faster pace. The Role of APSA - Value to the Farmers and the Nation The APSA is certainly a great opportunity for all the stakeholders in seed sector to brainstor m and deliberate on how to create value to the farmers and the nations. As an international forum, it also provides a unique opportunity to resolve issues and address challenges and come out with action plans and recommendations to the Governments. I urge all the delegates and participants that for the next five days each one of us, should engage and come out with constructive plans to achieve our mission. I wish APSA 2015 all the very best and look forward to a great congress, which should set a new direction and contribute to the development of seed sector and agriculture. I am sure that the Asian Seed Congress, Goa - 2015 will provide an effective platform for growth of seed business not only in Asia and Pacific regions but also across the continents at global levelsâ&#x20AC;?.

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VIEWPOINT

It is true that in some crops a yield plateau has been reached but this barrier can be broken by way of new and innovative technologies and also through an intensive agriculture extension effort. Seed is one of the key factors to increasing the production and productivity in agriculture crops and our efforts should be to invest more R&D in the seed sector for the development of new and better varieties which will not only have higher yield potential but will also have wider range of adaptability and resistance / tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. I applaud the efforts of the organizers to bring all such issues in the forefront for solution by policy makers, researchers and other stake holders of the Asia and Pacific countries.

for diverse seed production for export especially that of high value hand pollinated vegetables, field crops and flower seeds. Besides vegetables, the seeds of Hybrid corn, Hybrid paddy, Hybrid pearl millet and hybrid cotton have high potential for export in Asian and African countries. If any bottle neck or constrains are observed by the Seed Industr y in achieving the enhanced target of quality seed production, they may bring such issues in to notice of my Ministry and we will try our best to resolve the issues, so that Indian seed industry of public and private sector may fulfill the domestic and international demand.

INTERVIEW

Private Sector Engaged in Low Volume High Value Seeds “

The focus of the Second Green Revolution or the so called “Evergreen Revolution” is on ensuring food and nutritional security to the Indian populace especially below poverty line population which constitutes around 28 percent of the Indian population. With practically no more land to farm and some depletion of the agricultural land, this miracle is not easy to achieve. Science and technology have to play a big role. High productive seeds, private sector involvement and expenditure on long stalled irrigation schemes are the keys to achieving higher production. In view of this the Agriculture World Interacted with Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh ,Joint Secretary (Seeds), Government of India who was of the opinion that the Private Sector is mostly producing Low volume but High Value Seeds.

”

Q Agriculture Production and Productivity is mainly dependent of quality seeds. How far the Government is controlling the same (quality) at Regional, national and Global level? State level The quality of seeds supplied to the farmers is ensured through the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968, the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 and the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 under which State Governments have been empowered to appoint seed inspectors to draw seed samples, establish Seed Testing Laboratories to check the quality of seeds and take appropriate measures like issue of warning, show cause notices, stop sale order, trial in the court etc., against suppliers of fake/sub-standard/unlicensed seeds to curb the sale of spurious seeds in the country. National level Government of India has enacted various seed legislations viz. the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968, the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 and the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 to facilitate the States to regulate the quality of seeds sold in the market. Global The quality of seeds is being regulated globally by testing seeds in the ISTA accreditated laboratory and fixing the orange seed analysis certificate on the seed packet as well as OECD varietal certification. The strict enforcement of Phyto-sanitary measures and quarantine also ensure the healthy quality of seeds. Q For the welfare of the Agrarian society, how you are balancing the Public and Private sectors? Ans. The public and private sector both play a significant role in the production and distribution of seeds. The organized sector (including both public and private sector Companies) accounts for about 35-40% of the total seeds used in the country. The private sector companies are mostly producing low volume high value seeds. For the new high yielding varieties (HYVs) developed by National Agriculture Research System-ICAR-SAUs, Breeder seeds are provided to both public and private sector based on their advance indents for further multiplication into foundation seeds and then certified seeds.

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NOVEMBER 2015

RAJESH KUMAR SINGH Jt. Secretary Seeds, GOI Email: jsseeds-agri@nic.in

Q What about the development of new and better varieties not only for higher yield but also for wider range of adaptability and resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses? Central Seed Committee recommends the variety having higher yield, wider range of adaptability and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. During 2014-15, 199 new high yielding varieties and in the current year, 43 new varieties in different Agricultural and Horticultural Crops were notified. As on date, 4663 varieties of different crops have been notified under Section 5 of the Seeds Act. Q Policy support provided by the Government starting with the national seed production programme, what about the new policy on seed development of 1988? In order to make available best seeds and planting materials from anywhere in the world to Indian farmers, the New Policy on Seed Development was launched in 1988 which was further liberalized in 2011 and 2014. Now, almost all field crops and horticultural crops are covered under this Policy. The seeds and planting materials imported under New Policy on Seed Development may be further multiplied in India for meeting the domestic demand and export. www.krishijagran.com

INTERVIEW Interviewed by

Chander Mohan and Kanika Chauhan Sr. Execu ve Editor, Journalist Krishi Jagran, New Delhi Email: cmohan@krishijagran.com, kanika@krishijagran.com www.krishijagran.com

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Seed - The First Step towards the Growth

eed is the basic raw material of the agrarian economy to the Industrial economy. Agriculture has become the industry for which three components are needed: the soil, seed and shram (the hard work) for successful growth of the yield. Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram is the beejmantra of the successful farmer. Seed is the basic and most critical input for sustainable agriculture. The response of all other inputs depends on quality of seeds to a large extent. It is estimated that the direct contribution of quality seed alone to the total production is about 15 - 20 per cent depending upon the crop and it can be further raised up to 45 percent with efficient management of other inputs. The developments in the seed industry in India, particularly in the last 30 years, are very significant. A major re-structuring of the seed industry by Government of India through the National Seed Project Phase-I (1977-78), Phase-II (1 978-79) and Phase-III (1 9901991), was carried out, which strengthened the seed infrastructure that was most needed and relevant around those times. This could

be termed as a first turning point in shaping of an organized seed industry. Introduction of New Seed Development Policy (1988 1989) was yet another significant mile stone in the Indian Seed Industry, which transformed the very character of the seed industry. The number of companies engaged in seed production or seed trade is of the order of 400 or 500. However, the main focus of private seed companies has been on the high value low volume seeds and market for low value high volume seeds of cereals, pulses and oilseeds is still dominated by the public sector seed corporations. Private sector companies have a significant place mainly in the case of maize and sunflower and cotton. However, in the case of vegetable seeds and planting materials of horticultural crops, the private sector is the dominant player. As the private sector has not been enthusiastic about entering into seed production of high volume low margin crops of wheat, paddy, other cereals, oilseeds and pulses, the public sector seed corporations will continue to remain dominant in cereals, pulses and oilseeds for many more years to come. At

present 15 State Seeds Corporation and 2 National level seeds Corporations. As per World Seed Trade Statistics, India has sixth largest size of domestic seed market in the world, estimated to be at about 1300 million dollars. However, India's share in global trade in seeds (import & export) is of only about 37 million dollars only. To give a boost to seed export, India has decided to participate in OECD Seed Schemes for the following categories of crops: 

Grasses and legumes



Crucifers and other oil or fibre species



Cereals



Maize and sorghum



Vegetables

The Cotton is the largest segment in value terms with Bt cotton driving the growth. Hybrid Corn, Hybrid Rice and Vegetables to drive the future growth. Indian seed industry estimated to grow at 12-13 percent crossing US $ 3 billion mark by 2020. Global seed industry has tripled in size

SEED The First Step towards the Growth

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Seed - The First Step towards the Growth Unorganized sector (13%) Medium private players (17%)

Public sector (30%)

Large private players(40%)

over the last decade reaching to US $ 45 billion and is estimated to grow at same rate crossing US$ 92 billion by 2020.

terms of seed marketing and distribution, more than about 20000 seed dealers and distributors are in the business.

T h e I n d i a n S e e d I m p ro v e m e n t Programme is backed up by a strong crop improvement programme in both the public and private sectors. At the moment, the industry is highly vibrant and energetic and is well recognized in the international seed arena. Several developing and neighbouring countries have benefited from quality seed imports from India. India's Seed Programme has a strong seed production base in terms of diverse and ideal agro-climates spread throughout the country for producing high quality seeds of several tropical, temperate and sub-tropical plant varieties in enough quantities at competitive prices. Over the years, several seed crop zones have evolved with extreme levels of specialization.

Over the years, seed quality specifications comparable to international standards have been evolved and are adopted by the Indian Seed Programme in both the public and private sectors. The country has a strong rigorous mechanism for seed quality control through voluntary seed certificate and compulsory labelling monitored by provincial level Seed Law Enforcement Agencies. The seed industry has three well reputed national level associations apart from several provincial level groups to take care of the interests of the industry.

Similarly, for post harvest handing, the Indian seed processing/conditioning industry has perfected the techniques of quality upgradation and maintenance to ensure high standards of physical condition and quality. By virtue of the diverse agro-climates several geographical zones in the country have emerged as ideal seed storage locations under ambient conditions. In

Thus, the Indian Seed Programme is now occupying a pivotal place in Indian agriculture and is well poised for continued growth in the years to come. National Seeds Corporation, which is the largest single seed organizatio n in the country with such

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a wide product range, pioneered the growth and development of a sound industry in India. NSC, SFCI, States Seeds Corporations and other seed producing agencies are continuously and gradually expanding all its activities especially in terms of its product range, volume and value of seed handled, level of seed distribution to the un-reached areas, etc. Over the past four decades, these seed producing agencies have built up a hard core of competent and experienced seed producers and seed dealers in various parts of the country and have adequate level of specialization and competence in handling and managing various segments of seed improvement on scientifically sound and commercially viable terms. Due to recent innovations in the seed sector, entry of private industry and introduction of varieties of seeds and its importation in India, makes the existing Seed Act as redundant since it fails to serve useful purpose. Hence, it paves the way to Government to introduce a new Bill in the Parliament legislation to deal with several issues in the seed sector. Accordingly, the Seed Bill 2004 has been prepared and introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 9 th December, 2004 and thereupon referred to Parliamentary Standing Committee on agricultural chaired by Prof. Ramgopal Yadav to study and submit its report. The Seed Bill 2004 introduced radical changes in the seed sector. Viz. Syngenta India Limited, part of the Switzerland headquartered Syngenta AG, a agri-business company, is contributing to Indian agriculture through products and solutions for enhancing productivity & yield. Syngenta is the only company in the world to offer complete and high-end solutions for farmers, from seed to grains and beyond. Known to be a people's company, for our initiatives to transfer knowledge to farmers, we enjoy leading position in Hybrid Seeds as well as in crop protection products. A leader in crop protection and rank third in the high value commercial seeds market. The global sales in 2008 were around ÂŁ7.2 billion.

Chander Mohan Sr. Execu ve Editor Krishi Jagran, New Delhi Mob: 9891311166 Email: cmohan@krishijagran.com www.krishijagran.com

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Challenges and Scope Indian Oilseed Sector

Challenges and Scope

Indian Oilseed Sector

ndia is one of the largest producer and consumer of vegetable oil in the world. Therefore, oilseeds have been the backbone of India's agricultural economyfor a long time. India's vegetable oil economy is the fourth largest in the world, next to the USA, China and Brazil. In terms of cultivable area and production, oilseed crops play the second most important role in Indian agricultureafter food grains.Due to a favorable climate,a large variety of oilseeds are cultivated in India, the major ones being: groundnut, rapeseed& mustard, castor seed, sesamum, niger seed, linseed, safflower, sunflower and soybean. However, groundnut, rapeseed/mustard, soybean and sunflower account for a major portion of India's oilseed output. These nine oilseed crops and some plantation crops enabledus to produce about 8 million tons of edible oil regardless ofmore than 17 million tons of annual edible oil consumption.India imported about 10 million tons of vegetable oil during 2012-13 valued

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Sunﬂower, Nigerseed, 0.3% 1.8% Sesamum, Linseed, Safﬂower, 0.3% 2.2% 0.5 % Castor, 7.0%

Groundnut 17.7%

Soybean 46.0% Rape & Mustard 24.2%

Chart 1: Contribu on of diﬀerent oilseed crops in Produc on of oilseed (2012‐13) th Source: 20 Annual group mee ng July, 2013 (AICRP‐RM)

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Challenges and Scope Indian Oilseed Sector

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Projec on of Edible Oil (EO) demand in India Par culars / assump ons

2015

2020

2025

2030

Expected Popula on (billions)

1.29

1.36

1.42

1.48

Per capita consump on of EO (kg/annum)

14.57 16.38

19.45

23.1

Total Edible Oil requirement (millionmt)

18.79 22.27

28.2

34.1

Total oilseeds requirement (millionmt)

56.37 66.8

84.6

102.3

Source: Vision 2030 (DRMR, Bharatpur)

atINR 56,000 Crores (USD: 10.3billion)T.he import is likely to be 14.5 million tons in 2015. Per capita edible oil consumption in India is 14kg/year, which is far below theworld average of 259.kg, EU 59 kg, USA 54 kg and China 25 kg/year. The consumption of edible oil is expected to reach 34 million metric tons by 2030 due to a high rise in income levels andliving standardsbased on thefollowing assumptions: Among oilseed crops, R a p e s e e d - m u s t a rd i s a n important contributor to Indian agriculture as well as the Indian economy. E.g.thelow water requirement of mustardmakes the crop fit forrai

nfed cropping systemswhere farmershave poor land resources such as sandy soils. The short duration cultivars of mustard / rapeseed havethe potential to deliver significant oil outputs from the rice fallow land available in India. Ascompared to other edible oils, rapeseed/ mustard oil has the lowest amount of harmful saturated fatty acids. It also contains adequate amounts of the two essential fatty acids: Omega-3 andOmega6 alpha-linolenic acid, which are absent in many of the other edible oils. Despite being the second highest producer,Indiaranks 28th in global productivity of Rapeseed-Mustard.Some of the major reasons for its low ranking in global productivity are poor crop management, water deficiency under rainfed cropping systems, use of marginal lands, small (< 0,5 ha) and fragmented land holdings, lack of suitable high yielding varieties (HYV) or hybrids and poor use of inputs and susceptibility to adverse weather like frost, early summer arrivals etc. Some of the key cultivars (OP lines) of mustard currently used in IndialikeVaruna(T59), Pusa-Bold, Laxmi, RH-30 etc. have been grown by farmers for the last 2-3 decades. Now the time has come to replace them with high yielding and stress tolerant hybrids which would help farmers to produce to the next level. Bayer CropScience is one of the most

9.0

Area (Mha)

Production (MMT)

Productivity (Kg/Ha)

8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

1500 1400 1300 1200 1100 1000 900 800 700 600 500

03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-1 0 10-11 11-12 12-13 Chart 2: Area and Produc on trend of rapeseed‐mustard Source: 20th Annual group mee ng July, 2013 (AICRP‐RM) & DRMR webpage www.krishijagran.com

2015 NOVEMBER

important players in global rapeseed/mustard research as well as in the global hybrid seeds business. Bayer is clearlythe market leader in canola in Canada and the U.Sw . ith its InVigor hybrids in seeds and its LL HT traits. In India, Bayer is of fering a large range of products c a t e g o r i z e d a s re s e a r c h v a r i e t i e s , composites and hybrids suitable to different Indian climaticzones. Bayer Indiaisalso planning to launch OSR-mustard hybrids /varieties offering oil profiles with up to date propertiessuch as:single zero(low erucic acid) and double zero (low erucic acid & low glucosinolate). This will be all done by applying conventional breeding approaches in the near future. In 2013, Bayer CropScience won two consecutive Choudhary Charan Singh Awards for Highest Yield for record productivity of 45 quintals mustard in one hectarein Uttar Pradesh. To provide better breeding solutions to Indian mustard farmers, Bayer has invested inexpanding its research and breeding infrastructure by opening a new Mustard Breeding Station at Palwal in Haryana. To make India self–sufficient in edible oil,there is still a long way to go. Timely availability of quality seeds, ensuring proper use of input and resources, protecting farmer's interest by offering the right Minimum Support Price (MSP) and extension of a d v a n c e d t e c h n o l o g i e s a re a f e w improvement areas, where public and private partnerships can play an important role.

Mr. Surendra Prajapa Business Head: Cereals & Oilseeds (seeds & traits) Bayer CropScience Email: surendra.prajapa @bayer.com

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