Minister for Agriculture R. Kamalakannan on Thursday emphasised the need to provide quality certified seeds from the National Seed Corporation.
Reprimanding the Puducherry Agro Service and Industries Corporation (PASIC) officials for not procuring seeds from the National Seed Corporation, both Agriculture Minister and Secretary demanded the reason for not availing the facilities provided by the Centre.
Approval needed
During the pre-budget meeting with officials in the Agricultural Department, issues of paddy cultivation, cost and the quantity of seeds distributed among farmers and quality certification were discussed. Pointing out to the mismanagement, Secretary to Government (Agriculture) D. Manikandan directed the officials to seek due approval from the government before purchasing the seeds.
“Why should you acquire seeds from private players or Tamil Nadu when the National Seed Corporation was supplying quality seeds?” he questioned.
Nearly 92 tonnes of groundnut seeds at the cost of ₹72 lakh had been purchased by PASIC during 2016-17. Stressing that the officials should inform the government before decision on purchase of seeds was made; the Minister said the officials had to be prepared by January or February for the sowing season.
The officials working in the PASIC in the purchase committee, seed certification agency, and enforcement officers should meet once a month to review the progress and plan ahead.
PASIC was formed in order to streamline the functioning of Agriculture Department but it had now become a burden, a senior official added.
They discussed the Central schemes including Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), a horticulture scheme that had to be implemented through the department.
To implement the above schemes, they proposed to seek financial assistance from the Centre.
They discussed on integrating the schemes with those funded by the State government.
