The Hindu Business Line : Seed industry seeks infrastructure status

THE Rs 4,000-crore Indian seed industry has sought infrastructure status for itself and removal of seeds from the purview of Consumer Protection Act 1986 and Essential Commodities Act.

"Our industry is demanding a level playing field for private sector and support to this sector for R&D and speedy implementation of crop insurance," said Mr Uday Singh, President of Seed Association of India, at the two-day National Seed Seminar, which concluded on Tuesday.

The event was jointly organised by Seed Association of India (SAI) and Association of Seed Industries (ASI).

Mr Singh said the compensation claims should be scientifically scrutinised to arrive at the cause of crop failure and should be paid by the insurance companies.

He added that the seed industry needs support to mature and become internationally competitive and the proposed Seed Bill should foster hassle-free growth of the private sector seed industry.

He stressed the need for an integrated Seeds Act in place of a plethora of different laws regulating the seed industry and demanded a more facilitating plant quarantine system without in any way sacrificing the safety aspect.

According to Mr Singh, subsidies should be directed to facilitate investment in developing varieties for export market.

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