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.),
storage 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 available
for State Seed Certification Agencies for strengthening
of quality control infrastructure. |
