Question 34 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Economy

Question

Which one of the following best describes the main objective of 'Seed Village Concept'?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost

Strategy: Focus on the core phrase 'Seed Village Concept'—it is about collective training and empowering farmers for quality seed production, not just promoting own saved seeds, or limiting to certified production only. Only option B captures the dual goals: farmer involvement/training and widespread availability of quality seeds at the right time and cost. Other options either restrict the concept too narrowly or suggest unrelated entrepreneurial objectives.

Key Info: The Seed Village Concept is a strategy promoted by the Government of India and allied agricultural agencies to produce, multiply, and distribute quality seeds at the village level. The approach involves identification of selected villages or clusters as seed villages, where farmers receive training in quality seed production, post-harvest handling, and seed storage techniques. Foundation seeds of high quality are distributed to chosen farmers, who multiply these under technical supervision. The quality standards are maintained through regular monitoring, field inspections, and farmer capacity building. The main objectives are:

- Ensuring local self-sufficiency in quality seed supply by creating a decentralized network.
- Rapid multiplication and dissemination of newly released, high-yielding, and location-specific crop varieties.
- Enhancing farmer awareness about certified seed production procedures and post-production management.
- Making seeds available to neighboring farmers at the right time and affordable prices, reducing dependence on external suppliers.

Certified and truthful labeled seeds produced in seed villages maintain high genetic purity and germination rates. This results in higher productivity and reduces crop failure risks. Organizations like the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, State Seed Corporations, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) provide technical resources, training, and sometimes financial support for these programs.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies