What’s in the news?

• The Government of India has been implementing Seed Village Programme (Beej Gram Yojana) since 2014-15 to upgrade the quality of farmer’s saved seeds. 
• Under this programme financial assistance for distribution of foundation/certified seeds at 50% of seed cost for cereal crops and 60% for pulses, oilseeds, fodder and green manure crops is available for up to one acre per farmer. 
• The Government of India also organizes Zonal Seed Review Meeting twice a year before onset of each sowing season i.e. Kharif & Rabi. In these meetings, Department of Agriculture of different States/UTs, National & State Level Seed Producing Agencies, Seed Certification Agencies were called to assess the requirement and availability of seed across the country prior to every season, to ensure timely availability of seed to farmers.

Why in News?

• This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

Reference:

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1783875