In order to develop new varieties, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its 57 Institutes and 40 All India Coordinated Research Projects/ All India Network Projects operating in more than 930 centres across 45 State/Central Agricultural Universities primarily promotes research on improvement of seed/varieties of various crops including grains and vegetables. In addition, eight special projects viz., ICAR-National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), four Consortium Research Projects, Incentivizing Research in Agriculture Project, Network Project on Translational Genomics in Crop Plants and National Agricultural Science Fund also focus on climate change research in seed varieties. As a result of robust research system, a record production of food grains has been achieved at 323.055 Million MT in 2022-23 (2nd Advance Estimate) and 345.32 Million MT of Horticultural crops during 2021-22.
In order to enhance the export of seeds, India has become a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Seed Scheme from 2008. The scheme authorizes the use of labels and certificates for seeds produced and processed for international trade according to OECD guidelines and hassle free export to OECD member countries. The scheme also facilitates the export of seeds by the removal of technical trade barriers through international recognized labels. Moreover, through Export Import Committee i.e. EXIM Committee, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare also facilitates the import and export of seeds.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.