We Produce & Distributed

Following the Indian seed programme system Beej Nigam recognizes three generations of seeds namely Breeder, Foundation and Certified seeds and provides adequate safeguards for quality assurance in the seed multiplication chain to maintain the purity of the variety as it flows from the breeder to the farmer.

Breeder Seed

Breeder seed is the progeny of nucleus seed of a particular variety and is produced by the originating breeder or by a sponsored breeder. Breeder seed production is the mandate of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and is being undertaken with the help of:

• ICAR Research Institutions, National Research Centres and All India Coordinated Research Project of different crops.
• State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) with 14 centres established in different States.
• Sponsored breeders recognized by selected State Seed Corporations.
• Non-Governmental Organizations.

Foundation Seed

Foundation seed is the progeny of breeder seed and is required to be produced from breeder seed or from foundation seed which can be clearly traced to breeder seed. Foundation seed is required to meet the standards of seed certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards, both at the field and laboratory testing.

Certified Seed

Certified seed is the progeny of foundation seed and must meet the standards of seed certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards, 1988. In case of self pollinated crops, certified seeds can also be produced from certified seeds, provided, it does not go beyond three generations from foundation seed stage-I.

Seed Certification

Seed Certification is carried out in six broad phases listed as under:

• Verification of seed source, class and other requirements of the seed used for raising the seed crop.
• Receipt and scrutiny of application.
• Inspection of the seed crop in the field to verify its conformity to the prescribed field standards.
• Supervision at post-harvest stages including processing and packing. of samples and arranging for analysis to verify conformity to the seed standards.
• Grant of certificate, issue of certification tags, labelling, sealing etc.

Role of farmers in maintaining the quality of seeds