A new magazine christened “Seed Today” was launched by Prof M. S. Swaminathan on 4th February, 2009 at the Library Hall, IARI, PUSA New Delhi. Dr. S. A. Patil, Director, IARI presided over the launch ceremony.
M J Khan, Chief Editor of Agriculture Today, welcoming the august gathering, opined that the magazine is an attempt to fill the information void in the seed sector and the sector needs a very separate focused approach for its further improvement. If the seed and breed is improved, half the work is done, he said and stressed about the emergence of Seed Village clusters in the country .
Addressing the gathering Prof. Swaminathan said that quality seed is the major limiting factor hindering farm production and farmers often complain about non availability of proper varieties. There is a need for the revival of the glory of seed in the country, what India witnessed during the Green revolution period, he said. He appreciated the initiatives by the Agriculture Today group, with the launch of “Seed Today”, where information and views can be shared and debated among the various stakeholders on different issues and progress. Towards the end he quipped that “I hope the magazine will cater to the need of various stakeholders in the seed industry and the common man, by highlighting the importance of seed”.
Dr. S.A Patil, Director, IARI shared the achievements of IARI in the field of seed research and development. Participatory approach should be followed for the breeder and foundation seeds with the training and involvement of the farmers, particularly the farm women, as stated by him. He suggested an interactive website for seed supply for farmers. He also said that it is high time to invest in seed research and the magazine can highlight the various issues of the seed sector.
Mr. Mohan Kanda,Member, National Disaster Management Authority; Mr R.K Sinha, Executive Director, National Seed Association of India, KV Somani, Executive Director, Sungro Seeds and KB Chaudhary, President, Bharat Krishak Samaj also graced the occasion.
Mr. R. K. Sinha stressed the need of a technology mission on quality seeds. He also shared the current issues facing the sector as, germplasm exchange and public private partnerships among many.
Mr. Mohan Kanda stressed that the future of Indian agriculture would depend on good quality seeds. However, he feels that farmers’ income is the utmost priority at this stage. “ In a year when we had bumper crop, we have had the highest number of farmer suicide” So, we must develop the ability to serve the farmers. He appreciated the role of the Agriculture Today group for working towards the cause of Indian farmer and disseminate information on agriculture to all important stakeholders of the industry.
KV Somani asked for the recognition of seed sector as the priority industry.
Farmers viewpoint for the deregularisation and quality seed availability to the farmers and the government role in the process was discussed with élan, by Mr. KB Choudhary.
Seed Today is being edited by the team led by Mr. Ayan Banerjee. The event concluded by a vote of thanks by Mr. Amitav Dutta, Group Executive Editor, Agriculture Today.
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