Syllabus: GS Paper–III & V: Agriculture

Why in the news?

A performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the Assam Seeds Corporation Limited has revealed serious gaps in seed production, exposing Assam’s heavy dependence on outside procurement and raising concerns over food security, climate resilience and agricultural sustainability.

Why seed production matters

• Seed production is the foundation of agriculture, as quality seeds determine crop yield, resilience to climate stress and farmers’ income.
• Locally adapted seeds, available at affordable prices, are essential for year-round cultivation, crop diversification and food security.
• With climate change increasing floods, droughts and pest attacks in Assam, seed self-reliance has become a strategic necessity rather than a choice.

Key findings of the CAG audit

• The Assam Seeds Corporation Limited supplied only 0.28 per cent of seeds from its own production during 2018–2024.
• Nearly the entire requirement was met through outside procurement, making Assam vulnerable to price volatility, quality risks and supply disruptions.
• There was a 34 per cent shortfall in paddy seed targets and over 90 per cent shortfall in non-paddy seeds.
• Year-wise shortfall ranged between 6.7 to nearly 50 per cent for paddy and 18.7 to 100 per cent for non-paddy crops, showing lack of prioritisation.

Policy and planning gaps

• Assam’s Seed Procurement Policy mandates ASCL to produce seeds through its farms or registered growers under buy-back arrangements, but this was not effectively implemented.
• ASCL did not prepare any long-term or perspective plan aligned with the Seed Rolling Plan, which estimates seed demand three years in advance.
• The Agriculture Department placed annual seed indents, despite ASCL repeatedly seeking advance projections, reflecting poor coordination.
• The state also failed to enforce implementation of the Seed Rolling Plan, despite advisories from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Institutional and operational weaknesses

• Absence of a robust market intelligence system on seed demand, prices and varieties.
• No seed bank for scientific storage of genetically pure seeds to be used during natural calamities.
• Dependence on private growers even for storage under the National Seed Reserve.
• Failure to utilise central assistance such as revolving funds, infrastructure support and machinery grants.

Why non-paddy seeds are critical

• Non-paddy seeds are essential for crop diversification, reducing rice fallow, improving soil health and expanding Assam’s food basket.
• The reported 90 per cent shortfall in non-paddy seeds severely limits multi-cropping and nutritional security.

The way forward

• Assam must build a robust seed production and distribution ecosystem.
• ASCL should prepare production and procurement plans strictly aligned with the Seed Rolling Plan.
• Encouraging local registered seed growers, strengthening seed farms and creating seed banks are essential.
• Better coordination between the Agriculture Department and ASCL, along with use of central schemes, can reduce dependence on external suppliers.

Explained key terms

• Seed Rolling Plan: A forward-looking plan estimating crop-wise and variety-wise seed requirements three years in advance.
• Seed Replacement Rate: The proportion of cropped area sown with certified or quality seeds instead of farm-saved seeds.
• Certified Seeds: Seeds that meet prescribed genetic and physical purity standards.
• National Seed Reserve: A buffer stock of seeds to meet emergency needs during disasters.
• Rice fallow: Agricultural land left uncultivated after rice harvest.

Conclusion

• Assam’s agricultural future depends on seed sovereignty.
• Without strengthening its own seed production capacity, the state risks food insecurity, climate vulnerability and stagnant farm incomes.
• Overhauling seed production is therefore not just an administrative reform, but a strategic investment in Assam’s agricultural resilience.

Exam hook

Key takeaway:
Seed self-reliance is the backbone of climate-resilient and diversified agriculture in Assam.

Mains question:
“Assam’s dependence on externally procured seeds poses risks to food security and climate resilience.” Discuss in the light of the Comptroller and Auditor General audit on Assam Seeds Corporation Limited.

SOURCE