The Union Ministry of Agriculture has given the responsibility of taking up the process for obtaining European Union (EU) Equivalence membership for the country to Telangana State Seed and Organic Certification Authority (TSSOCA) for export of seed to European countries.
Director of TSSOCA K. Keshavulu would act as nodal officer for obtaining EU Equivalence membership and would also coordinate with the quality control units of the Seed Division of MoA as part of improving seed exports from the country. Seed exports from the country were started only in 2016-17 officially when TSSOCA cleared export of 1,700 tonnes of seed to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries – Sudan, Egypt and Philippines from Telangana.
The export of seed to OECD countries in 2017-18 is estimated at 3,000 tonnes, including export to countries like Russia. “It will not only enhance seed exports from the country but would also provide an opportunity to farmers, particularly those of Telangana, which is already known as a seed bowl, to produce seed with EU Equivalence norms and export them to improve their income,” Mr. Keshavulu said, when contacted.
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The TSSOCA has been given the responsibility of pursuing for the EU Equivalence membership following a decision of the national task force on seed exports. Explaining the process for membership, Mr. Keshavulu said:
“We have to start the process with documentation for the membership and visiting EU headquarters at Brussels for submission of documents. A team from EU would then visit India to examine the practices of seed production, quality, varieties, role of public and private sectors, seed testing facilities and others for recommending India's membership”.
As there is only one crop season in the European countries for cultivation of food crops and vegetables, they are depending on countries like Chile, New Zealand, Australia and a few others now for their seed needs. “Their need is mostly wheat, sunflower, barley, maize (corn) and vegetable seed and the EU Equivalence membership would work for Telangana’s plans to emerge as a global seed hub with most suitable conditions for quality seed production”, the TSSOCA Director said.
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The state-of-the-art seed testing lab conforming to International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) standards coming up in Hyderabad in the next three months would be an added advantage for pursuing EU Equivalence membership, the official stated.