Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed the Agriculture Department and the Seeds Corporation to intensify efforts for enhancement of seed production for pulses, oilseed and stress resistant paddy seed.
The Chief Minister said the State must develop a well managed seed production programme as availability of quality seed is critical for higher crop production.
Directing the officials to make efforts for enhancing Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR), Patnaik said the Government has a target of enhancing SRR for paddy to 35 per cent, for Biri 20 per cent, for Mung 20 per cent, for groundnut 33 per cent and for mustard 33 per cent by the year 2018-19. The Government has instituted a corpus fund of Rs 100 crore to ensure timely payment to seed growers so that farmers can avail high quality seeds in time.
It was stated that the State’s total storage capacity requirement for processed seed is 7.5 lakh quintals where as the actual capacity is 2.59 lakh quintal. So, for creating additional storage capacity, it was decided in the meeting that more number of storage go-downs will be constructed and for this, provision of funds will be made. The dealers’ network will be extended to Gram Panchayat level. Farmers will get subsidy through Direct Benefit Transfer system. MoU with national and international agencies will be made for quality seed production and management. Two more processing plants will be established at Parlakhemundi and Junagarh for the purpose.