In a major boost to India’s agricultural infrastructure, the Union Agriculture Minister inaugurated a state-of-the-art seed processing and packaging unit of the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) at the Pusa Complex in New Delhi. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring farmers have access to high-quality, certified seeds, a cornerstone for improving productivity and farm income.
Key Highlights
- The Pusa facility, designed for vegetable and flower seeds, has a processing capacity of 1 tonne per hour.
- Five other NSC plants—located in Bareilly, Dharwad, Hassan, Suratgarh, and Raichur—were also inaugurated virtually, each equipped with a 4-tonne per hour capacity.
- The event marked the launch of digital innovations including:
- “Seed Management 2.0” – an integrated monitoring and logistics system.
- An online seed-booking platform enabling farmers to order seeds directly.
About NSC
Founded in 1963, the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) operates under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. It is responsible for seed production, processing, certification, and distribution across India, ensuring the genetic purity and quality of foundation and breeder seeds.
Significance of the Initiative
- Enhanced Seed Supply: Expands NSC’s processing capacity to meet growing national demand.
- Farmer Confidence: Digital booking and traceable supply chains help combat the sale of spurious seeds.
- Focus on Horticulture: Supports high-value crop segments like vegetables and flowers.
- Digital Integration: Promotes transparency, accessibility, and real-time seed availability.
- Policy Alignment: Advances India’s goals of ‘Seed Security’ and self-reliant agriculture under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
