Officials begin drive to curb spurious seeds in market

Coimbatore: Officials attached to the directorate of seed certification, department of agriculture, on Friday began inspection of outlets selling seeds produced and marketed by private firms to ensure all seed varieties were properly enrolled with the directorate.
A four-member team - comprising director, deputy director and two seed inspectors of the seed certification directorate - inspected a private outlet that distributes seeds produced by private firms to Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode. Pointing out that there were around 9,600 seed distribution centres in the state, an official said 70 seed inspectors were deployed to ensure the varieties they sell were enrolled with the directorate. “There are 700 such outlets in the district. Seven seed inspectors have been deployed to inspect them.”

A Mathialagan, director of seed certification and organic certification, said they had earlier called on private firms to enrol the varieties they market in the state. “Following this, 2,686 varieties have been enrolled by 83 firms. Almost 90% of seed varieties have been enrolled. We expect the rest to be enrolled in the coming days.”

In 2018-2019, the directorate had ordered private players to stop sales of 1,355 tonne seeds worth Rs 8.99 crore as they were not enrolled. “Seeds marketed by firms from other states and imported seeds also have to be enrolled. Sellers have to attach a copy of the enrolment certificate and that of invoice. This would help farmers verify the seeds’ characteristics, while helping to curb spurious seeds in the market,” Mathialagan said.

N Manoranjitham, a seed inspector, said they would also carry out inspections in agricultural areas in the district, where there are clusters of seed outlets.