Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: Now Farmers Will Be Owners of Seed Banks; Government to Provide License & Training

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s dream of making ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or Self-reliant India is in full swing. To make farmers of the country self-reliant, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Department has announced to launch seed bank scheme on a large scale. Under this scheme, district-wise seed banks will be formed across the country.

Also, farmers will be given license for the seed bank. And in this way, they will become self-reliant in the field of seed production. Government has planned to open seed banks in 650 districts of India. At present, farmers have to mainly depend on the market for seeds or they look for availability of cheap seeds from government. And many times, due to poor quality of seed, they have to suffer low yield and crop loss.

To encourage more farmers in this direction, the agri ministry has also relaxed the previous licensing rules. Now even class 10^th pass will be given license to run a seed bank. Farmer will be trained at the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Apart from being Matric pass, they should have at least one acre of land in his own name. He will have to register and certify the level and standards of seeds at State level.

The government will give them a lump sum amount to the farmers as incentive. Apart from this, subsidy will also be given on available resources along with training for storage facilities. It will be the responsibility of the state government to provide a market for the farmers seeds.

The value of the seed will also be decided in advance. The State seed corporation will collect the seeds from the barns of farmers in the first attempt itself.

A senior official of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said that if there will be a seed bank at the district level, it will be easier for the farmers to get good and cheap seeds. This will also help farmers to produce high quality crops and double their income.

Source – Amar Ujala