SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | National Seeds Corporation
The National Seeds Corporation (NSC) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare inaugurated a state-of-the-art vegetable and flower seed-processing and packaging unit at its Pusa Complex, New Delhi, and simultaneously launched five additional NSC seed-processing plants in Bareilly, Dharwad, Hassan, Suratgarh and Raichur. The Pusa facility has a processing capacity of 1 tonne per hour, while each of the five new plants has a capacity of 4 tonnes per hour.
Central to the initiative is the launch of “Seed Management 2.0”, a digital seed-management system, alongside a farmer-facing online seed-booking platform. Through this platform, farmers will be able to book seed requirements online, boosting transparency and access — especially for small and marginal farmers.
The rollout strengthens India’s seed value-chain by combining upgraded physical processing capacity with digital access mechanisms. It links with initiatives to modernise agriculture input systems, support smallholders, and reduce reliance on substandard seed supplies. The digital seed-booking platform marks a shift towards an input-oriented service model under the government’s self-reliant agriculture agenda.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What mechanisms will states and private seed distributors need to adopt to integrate with the Seed Management 2.0 platform and ensure timely availability, quality control and equitable access for remote and marginal farmers?
Follow the full news here: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2182930