Department of Agriculture
and Cooperation launched a Central Sector Scheme for establishment
and maintanance of Seed Bank. The Scheme was launched during
the year 1999-2000 with a total outlay of Rs. 37.80 crores
for 9 th Plan and the scheme continued during 10th Plan
also. The scheme is operated through National and State
level Seeds Corporations. Under the Scheme, the Corporations
produce and maintain stock of Certified and Foundations
Seeds of identified crops and varieties to meet the exigencies
during calamity. The advantage of the Scheme is available
to all the State and Union Territories.
The State Farms Corporation and National Seeds Corporation
are designated as Nodal Agencies to co-ordinate with the
participating agencies for Foundation and Certified seeds
respectively.
The Scheme provisions one time revolving fund for maintenance
cost in respect of transportation, processing and packing
charges, storage charges, storage losses, revalidation,
insurance charges and price differentials for undistributed
quantity of seed every year. The Scheme also provisions
for grant for construction of seed store and data bank for
information related to seed produced and handeled under
the Scheme.
Under the Scheme, for maintenance of Certified and Foundation
seed of identified crops,grants are provided to the participating
Seed Corporation s for meeting the cost of revolving funds
(i.e. 50% amount of procurement cost), revalidation charges
(@Rs. 100/- per Qtl.),transportation cost (@ Rs. 100/- per
Qtl.), processing and packing charges (@ Rs. 100/- per Qtl.),
strage cost (@ Rs. 8/- per Qtl. for 6 months), storage losses
(@ 0.25% of value seeds.), insurance cost of seed during
storage (@ 0.5%of value seeds.) and price differential for
undistributed quantity of seeds. This Scheme has also a
provision for creation of storage facilties as well as setting
up of data Bank for facilitating fst flow of information
on the availability of seeds. Assistance is also avaliable
for State Seed Certification Agencies for strengthening
of quality control infrastructure. |
