Strengthening of seed sector in the state

In order to prepare a roadmap for attaining self sufficiency in seed production of major agricultural crops like paddy, maize, pulses and oilseed in Nagaland, two stakeholder workshops were organized by ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland centre in collaboration with the directorate of agriculture, Nagaland, at Mokokchung and Kohima on March 14 and 19 respectively.

While inaugurating the workshop at Kohima, APC, Nagaland, A.S. Bhatia, called on the stakeholders to discuss at length about the ‘pros and cons’ of seed production programme in the state.

He appreciated the organizers for conducting such a workshop involving all the stakeholders including DAOs, SDAOs, programme coordinators of KVKs and progressive farmers/ NGOs of the state in order to prepare an implementable programme to fulfill the seed requirement of major crops of the state.

Dr. Bidyut C. Deka, joint director, ICAR research complex for NEH region, Nagaland, Jharnapani, while explaining the objective of the workshop emphasized that to replace the seed @ 10% per year, the state would require about 800 MT of paddy seeds, 150 MT of maize and around 15 MT of rapeseed and mustard.

“The truthfully labeled seeds could easily be produced in the state itself by involving the state department, KVKs and ICAR,” Dr. Deka stated.

Tekatushi Ao, joint director, DOA, Kohima, and in-charge SARS, Yisemyong, Mokokchung, informed the house that SARS has already identified suitable varieties of paddy and maize for the benefit of the farmers.

He highlighted the importance of the formation of a state variety release committee to release the varieties at an early date.

E.H. Lotha, director, agriculture, while chairing the meeting, highlighted the importance of seed chain in the state, while Dr. P.K. Pathak, associate director of research, AAU, Jorhat, Dr. (Mrs.) Sharmila D. Deka, Sr. Scientist, AAU, Jorhat, Assam and Bendangla Imsong, SMS (PB), KVK Wokha, presented different models of seed production and other requirements in the workshop as resource persons.

Both the workshops at Mokokchung and Kohima were attended by about 80 officers from department of agriculture, KVKs, NGOs etc., from all the 11 districts of the state.

Additional director, agriculture, I. Panger, proposed the vote of thanks and urged upon the participants to take up the programme in a missionary zeal so as to make the state self sufficient in seed production.

Both the workshops at Mokokchung and Kohima was coordinated by Z. James Kikon, SMS (Soil Sc.), KVK, Dimapur.

It may be mentioned that the meeting, after thorough discussions, recommended that the identified varieties of crops like paddy, maize, rapeseed and mustard and pulses be taken up for seed production in participatory mode involving the KVKs, ICAR complex and the department of agriculture, Nagaland, state agriculture department may formulate a policy to buy back the seeds at an approved rate from the producers on an Indane basis to encourage the seed production programme in the state and the department to take necessary action for creation of state seed certification agency in the directorate to strengthen the seed sector in the state.