Rajasthan to promote hybrid seeds

The Rajasthan Government's Agriculture Department on Tuesday signed an agreement with Pioneer Hybrid International for promoting research and development in seed production. Hybrid seeds are going to be the focal point of the pact.

Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) S. Ahmed and Pioneer International Corporation managing director Subba Rao signed the agreement at a simple ceremony at Pant Krishi Bhavan here.

Mr. Ahmed said the State Government was making all-out efforts to support and encourage entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector under the agricultural marketing and processing policy announced earlier this year.

Pioneer Hybrid will undertake research on hybrid seeds and take up a campaign for promoting them, besides apprising the farmers of the entire process from seed production to crop harvesting through an awareness drive.

Mr. Ahmed said the State had already registered an impressive production of spices, while steps were being taken to increase vegetable production: “The availability of seeds of high quality produced as a result of first-rate research will strengthen the agriculture sector and immensely benefit the farmers.”

The agreement is also expected to increase awareness among farmers about the new varieties of seeds. After the establishment and successful operations of seed production units in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the agricultural entrepreneurs are likely to be attracted to Rajasthan for installing similar units here.

Among others, Rajasthan Agricultural Marketing Board administrator Umesh Kumar, Rajasthan Beej Nigam managing director Yagnamitra Singh and representatives of Rajasthan Agricultural University and Regional Agricultural Research Centre attended the function.