International (OECD) seed Certification
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD)

The Indian seeds market has grown rapidly in the recent past due to the increased marketing efforts, rising farmer’s awareness of the benefits of improved seed depicting increasing demand from the farmers for seeds of high quality that improves crop yields. Although significant progress has been achieved by the Indian seed industry, it is far away from realizing its actual potential as a major power in the global seed industry with respect to International trade.

Despite the existence of a number of regulatory bodies, whose objective is to harmonize regulations and encourage Regional or International seed trade, there are still considerable difference in seed laws and regulations both at National and International scale. These differences restrict the seed trade between countries. Hence there is a need for defining, endorsing and enforcing minimum criteria (“rules of the game”) for International seed trade. The OECD Seed Scheme prescribes a set of procedures, methods and techniques for monitoring quality seed supply which assures for maintenance and safeguarding of the varietal identity as well as purity. It provides legal framework for the certification of the crop seeds moving in International trade.

The countries which are included in the OECD Seed Schemes are India, 58 countries from Europe, North and South America, the Middle-East Asia and Oceania. The OECD Council approved the Indian membership for participation in the following five OECD seed schemes from October, 2008.

  • Cereals
  • Maize and Sorghum
  • Crucifers and other oil or fiber species
  • Grasses and Legumes
  • Vegetables

Objectives
To encourage the use of “quality-guaranteed” seed in participating countries.
To authorize the use of labels and certificates for seed produced and processed for International trade according to agreed principles ensuring the identity and purity of seed.
To facilitate the import and export of seed, by removing the technical trade barriers through internationally recognized labels (passports for trade)
To lay down guidelines for seed multiplication abroad as well as for the delegation of some control activities to the private sector (“accreditation”).
Benefits of the Schemes
  • Facilitates international trade by using globally-recognized OECD labels and certificates (e.g. they are required to export seeds to Europe).
  • Builds a framework with countries or companies to develop seed production.
  • Facilitates in the elaboration of international rules for seed certification.
  • Develops collaboration between public and private sectors.
  • Provides regular exchange of information with other national certification agencies and observer organizations.
National Designated Authority (NDA)

The Government of India nominated the joint Secretary (Seeds), Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture as NDA for the OECD Seed Scheme, who is responsible for the implementation of the Seed Schemes in India. National Designated Authority has nominated 10 State Seed Certification Agencies including TSSCA, who are capable of operating the Seed certification Process of OECD Seed Schemes in our country as Designated Authorities by considering their technical and administrative facilities. Telangana State Seed Certification Agency shall act as Designated Authority and its area of operation is Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhatisgarh.Thus, TSSCA is responsible for OECD Seed Certification in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh States.

Responsibilities of TSSCA
  • Ensuring the variety to be OECD listed has been registered in the National Official Catalogue.
  • Communicating the name of the person(s) or organization(s) responsible for the maintenance of the variety.
  • Liaising with the breeder/maintainer of the variety.
  • Providing written agreement for the multiplication of seed outside the country of registration to the appropriate Designated Authority.
  • Maintenance of authenticated standard seed of crop cultivars.
  • Maintaining the official description of the varieties to be multiplied based on plant and seed morphological traits.

OECD is the logo of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development