Director's Message
A Message From our Director

Seed is the basic and most critical input in the Agriculture, investments made on all other inputs will go waste if the seed is not of good quality. Thus, the quality seed is of paramount importance for sustainable growth of agricultural production and productivity. The availability of quality seed is not a one-time affair; it needs to be monitored every season/year at different stages by the quality control assurances. The quality control system in India began with the establishment of National Seeds Corporation and enactment of Indian Seeds Act, 1966.

The seed production programmes are undertaken by both public and private sectors where public sector concentrated on OPVs and private sector on hybrids leading to the development of vibrant seed industry in the country. Even after the good efforts, more than 40 % of the planted seeds are still farm saved type in the country. The quantum of such farm saved seeds varies from state to state and depends on the development of seed industry in the region, literacy and awareness of farmers about the economic benefits of use of quality seed, and role of extension workers and seed production programmes.

It is needless to emphasize that, the State Seed Certification Agencies are acting as an instruments for the state to comply with the governmental purposes envisaged under the Seeds Act, 1966 in making available high quality seeds of the notified kind and varieties through Certification.

Dr.K.KESHAVULU

As we are all aware that Telangana State is bestowed with congenial climatic conditions to take up the seed production round the year and store the seed safely under ambient conditions. Keeping in view the favourable climatic conditions and Pro-Active government policies more than 400 private seed companies including MNCs and National Institutions have established their R&D facilities in and around Hyderabad. Thus, Telangana emerged as "Seed Hub of India". It is gratifying to note that among various Governmental programmes, the Hon'ble Chief Minister's priority is to gear up the agricultural machinery and to ensure supply of quality seeds to the farmers of the state, country and the world; and thereby transform Telangana State into "Global Seed Hub".

In view of huge certified seed requirement in future years and in order to achieve higher per cent of Seed Replacement Rate (SRR), the Telangana State Seed Certification Agency is improving its strengths in terms of staff, infrastructure, online seed certification and its operational area. Since, "Quality seed is the order of the day" TSSOCA is putting its best efforts for the implementation of strict quality control regimes and compliance with the International seed standards such as ISTA, OECD etc. for undertaking OECD seed certification being one of the Designated Authorities.

TSOSCA is nominated as Designated Authority by Government of India for implementation of OECD seed certification for four states i.e. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Orissa.

TSSOCA has also initiated Organic Certification by establishing Telangana State Organic Certification Agency (TSOCA) with aim to render service in inspection and certification of Agricultural products and food processing by assessing the conformity of the products with NPOP standards and other International standards

Thus, the TSSOCA being a service oriented organization will strive hard to continue to work with commitment and dedication to provide service to the farming community.

Dr.K.KESHAVULU
Director,
TSSOCA, Hyderabad