Parliament Question: Availability of Certified Seeds

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .1465 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28th July, 2026 AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED SEEDS 1465. SHRI SELVAM G: DR. RANI SRIKUMAR: SHRI C N ANNADURAI: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the availability of certified seeds for Kharif and Rabi seasons in Tamil Nadu and whether the existing stock is adequate to meet the requirements of farmers; (b) the details of seed reserves maintained for emergency situations and the quantity earmarked for Tamil Nadu : (c) the measures taken to ensure that only certified and quality seeds are supplied to farmers in the State: (d) whether short-duration and low-water requiring seed varieties have been stocked for possible resowing in drought-prone districts of Tamil Nadu: (e) if so, the details thereof: and (f) the details of seeds supplied and the steps taken to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and protect farmers from adverse weather conditions in Tamil Nadu, district-wise ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): Yes Sir, Government of Tamil Nadu assesses the requirement and availability of certified/quality seeds in the state prior to each sowing season i.e. Kharif and Rabi. As reported by Government of Tamil Nadu, the requirement and availability of certified seeds during Kharif, 2026 and Rabi, 2026-27 is as under: Seasons Requirement (in MT) Availability (in MT) Kharif 2026 30,176 34,773 Rabi 2026-27 1,03,877 1,09,932 (expected)(b): During 2026-27, a target of 3,450 quintals (Kharif-1750 quintals, Rabi-1700 quintals) has been allocated to Tamil Nadu under National Seed Reserve. The crop wise quantity of seeds reserves maintained in the State of Tamil Nadu as reported by the state is at Annexure-I. (c): Government has put in place a comprehensive mechanism for supply of certified and quality seeds to farmers. Breeder seeds of improved varieties are provided by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes and Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs)/State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to ensure the seed quality. All seed lots are required to conform to the prescribed standards of genetic purity, physical purity, and germination. In addition, periodic inspections, random sampling, and market surveillance are conducted by Seed Inspectors to verify compliance with the provisions of the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seeds Rules, 1968, and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983. Action, including seizure of sub- standard seed lots, cancellation of licences, and initiation of legal proceedings, is taken against agencies and dealers found violating prescribed norms. The Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory (SATHI) Portal provides end to end digital traceability across the seed supply chain, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in the delivery of quality seeds to farmers. (d) & (e): Yes Sir. The adequate quantity of short duration and low-water requiring seeds are stocked for contingent re-sowing in drought-prone districts of Tamil Nadu. The crop wise details of seeds stock in the state of Tamil Nadu are as under: S.No. Crop Quantity of Seeds (in MT) 1. Paddy (short duration varieties) 7,472.00 2. Ragi 4,24.57 3. Black gram 2,195.00 4. Green gram 119.00 5. Cowpea 88.00 6. Sesame 64.00 Total 10,362.57(f): To address the challenges posed by climate change and to strengthen climate resilient agriculture, the Government promotes the development and adoption of high- yielding, climate-resilient crop varieties through the National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES). During the years 2014 to 2025, 2,996 climate resilient varieties have been developed including varieties suitable for cultivation in Tamil Nadu. The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), regularly advises all States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu, to include these improved varieties in their State Seed Rolling Plans and to place timely breeder seed indents for multiplication into foundation and certified seeds. As informed by Govt. of Tamil Nadu, the details of district-wise seeds supplied in Tamil Nadu during 2026-27 is given at Annexure-II. The major measures being implemented in Tamil Nadu to strengthen climate resilient agriculture to safeguard farmers against adverse weather conditions include: i. Promotion of Integrated Farming Systems and crop diversification to enhance the resilience of farming communities. ii. Encouraging farmers to avail crop Insurance coverage under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). iii. Promotion of efficient water management and conservation through micro irrigation and other water-saving practices. iv. Promotion of alternative cropping systems by encouraging cultivation of low water-requiring crops such as millets, pulses and oilseeds along with short- duration and drought/flood tolerant crop varieties. v. Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices through green manuring, bio- fertilisers and bio-control agents to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. These interventions are being implemented through various Central and State schemes and programmes aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, improving resource-use efficiency, enhancing soil health and strengthening the resilience of farming systems.Annexure-I Details of crop wise quantity of seeds reserves maintained in the State of Tamil Nadu. Crop Location S. No. Quantity (in Qtls.) Kharif-2026 (To be maintained till August 15) 1 Paddy Thanjavur 600 Tiruvarur 600 Tiruvarur 300 2 Blackgram Tiruvarur 50 Thanjavur 50 3 Greengram Tiruvarur 50 Tiruvarur 50 4 Ragi Krishnagiri 50 Total 1750 Rabi-2026 (To be maintained till December, 15) Crop Location S. Quantity (Qtl) 1 Paddy Tiruvarur 200 2 Blackgram Thanjavur 700 Tiruvarur 600 Villupuram 200 Total 1700 Grand Total 3450Annexure-II Details of District-wise seed supplied by the government during 2026-27 (Quantity in MT) District Paddy Millets Pulses Oilseeds Cotton Total Ariyalur 48.8 5.8 2.5 146.2 0.2 203.4 Chengalpattu 40.9 0.3 0.6 42.0 - 83.8 Coimbatore 1.5 45.9 2.9 31.5 0.1 81.9 Cuddalore 128.3 1.7 6.6 61.2 - 197.8 Dharmapuri 45.3 47.4 12.2 116.7 0.1 221.7 Dindigul 6.3 3.8 6.1 25.9 - 42.1 Erode 90.0 1.6 17.7 119.9 0.0 229.2 Kallakuruchi 91.2 29.3 4.4 42.5 - 167.4 Kancheepuram 55.8 - 2.8 29.3 - 87.9 Kanyakumari 118.7 - 0.6 - - 119.3 Karur - 0.7 0.8 25.1 0.1 26.7 Krishnagiri 43.0 15.0 25.9 117.6 - 201.5 Madurai 6.9 7.8 3.9 - 1.5 20.0 Mayiladuthurai 73.2 0.1 97.1 0.3 - 170.7 Nagapattinam 10.0 - 101.0 0.5 - 111.5 Namakkai 6.5 6.8 19.0 229.9 0.1 262.3 Perambalur 1.6 0.4 0.4 0.6 - 3.0 Pudukkottai 57.6 1.4 5.1 65.1 - 129.2 Ramanathapuram 2.0 1.9 2.3 2.1 - 8.3 Ranipet 56.2 0.9 3.6 60.6 - 121.3 Salem 8.8 23.1 84.5 242.7 0.4 359.5 Sivagangai 2.2 0.0 2.1 - - 4.3 Tenkasi 42.3 0.0 44.1 0.8 - 87.2 Thanjavur 211.8 - 221.0 40.2 0.1 473.1 Theni 60.9 1.2 1.2 2.9 0.1 66.3 Thirunelveli 152.0 0.0 16.4 1.8 - 170.2 Thirupathur 5.5 2.5 4.5 97.7 - 110.2 Thiruvallur 154.2 0.1 0.0 92.6 - 246.9 Thiruvarur 115.3 0.1 90.3 0.2 0.4 206.3 Thoothukudi 8.1 9.6 21.5 0.0 - 39.2 Tiruppur 2.7 16.8 5.8 63.3 - 88.6 Tiruvannamalai 205.0 1.2 39.8 461.9 - 707.9 Trichy 46.7 0.0 8.0 52.8 - 107.5 Vellore 18.3 1.6 10.7 135.7 - 166.3 Villupuram 54.3 14.3 16.1 137.0 - 221.7 Virudhunagar 3.9 7.6 5.1 18.5 0.3 35.4 Total 1975.8 248.9 886.6 2465.1 3.4 5579.7 *****