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`No deception to mislead farmers on seeds'

Y. Yogeswara Rao, president, Seedsmen Association, Hyderabad, writes:

This refers to the article written by Sri P. Sainath ( The Hindu , July 20 and 21) regarding the sale of cotton hybrid seeds indicating 65 per cent germination on the label/package and collecting cost for 100 per cent.

Taking into consideration the practicability of the crop variety/hybrids seed, and not to put the Seed Growing Farming Community to loss in the production of seed, the Government of India has prescribed the minimum germination and purity of the crop seed under Section 6(A) of the Seed Act 1966.

Similarly Section 6(B) of the Seed Act 1966 requires statutorily to indicate the percentage of germination as prescribed under 6(A) of the Seed Act 1966 on the label.

Further, the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards 1988 has also stipulated the minimum germination percentage and other quality parameters for Certification of Seeds of cereals pulses, oilseeds, fibres fodders and vegetable crops wherein the minimum germination for cotton is prescribed at 65 per cent.

Accordingly, the seed companies/firms are complying with the statutory requirement by indicating the minimum percentage of germination of cotton hybrid on the label which is prescribed as 65 per cent. This does not mean that the seeds contained in the package is only 65 per cent, it could also be more.

There is absolute transparency in the matter and there is no deception to mislead the seed consuming farmers. The seed cost mentioned on the packet pertains to the quantity of seed packed in the container but not on the basis of germination percentage.

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