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In the frame of the Indo-German Project on Seed Sector Development a further four-day International Webinar on “Seed Testing for Quality Assurance” was successfully conducted with more than 75 participants of the Eastern Zone of India from July 13^th – 16^th, 2021 in cooperation with DAC&FW, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and the ICAR- Indian Institute of Seed Science (IISS) in Mau, India. The aim of this webinar was to present and discuss basic principles, methods and rules on seed sampling and testing with reference to the internationally agreed rules and methods of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) www.seedtest.org/en/home.html.

More than 75 Officials from Seed Department of DAC & FW, MOA, GOI, Officials of State Department of Agriculture, representatives of Seed Production in National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporation, representatives of private and public Seed Testing Laboratories (STLs), senior scientists from ICAR institutes, professors from SAU’s etc. have attended the webinar & participated in active discussions. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Director, IISS, Mau has given opening remarks on the first day. Dr. DK Yadava (ADG Seeds) has given a lecture on Concept of Seed Quality and Importance of Seed Testing for Quality Assurance. Dr. Andreas Wais (Secretary General, ISTA) presented a lecture on International Rules for Seed Testing. Experts from Germany like Prof. Dr. Michael Kruse (University of Hohenheim), Dr. Andreas Jonitz (Head of ISTA accredited Seed Lab LTZ Augustenberg/Germany), Dr. Axel Goeritz (Head of ISTA accredited Seed Lab LUFA Nord-West/Germany) and Ms Christine Herzog (ISTA Technical and System Auditor) provided presentations and shared their experience. Several Indian experts from public and private sector like Dr. G.V. Jagadish of Indo American Hybrid Seeds Company in Bangaluru contributed with excellent presentations to the success of the webinar. Eminent scientists & subject experts like Dr. Malavika Dadlani, Dr. M. Bhaskaran and Dr. S. Rajendra Prasad have chaired the four-day webinar for the general discussions and questions & answers session.

Along with external experts, Dr. Arvind Nath Singh (Principal Scientist, ICAR-IISS), Dr Sripathy (Scientist, ICAR-IISS), Dr. Uday Bhaskar (Sr. Scientist, ICAR- IISS), Dr. Somu Gupta (Scientist, ICAR-IISS) and Dr. Vinesh Banoth (Scientist, ICAR-IISS) as well as Mr. Ekkehard Schroeder (Team Lead, Indo-German Project), Dr. Sowmini Sunkara & Dr. Raghavendra Kavali (National Project Coordinators, Indo-German Project) supported the successful organisation of the webinar.

A team of well experienced national and international experts/trainers from public and private sector covered various topics which include:

• Concept of seed quality and importance of seed testing in quality assurance;
• National and International Scenario- Seed Quality Assurance Regime;
• International rules for Seed Testing according to ISTA – Overview;
• Seed Quality Assurance in GM Crops;
• Seed Sampling: An Overview;
• Physical Purity Analysis of Seed Lots: An Overview;
• Seed Moisture Estimation: Concepts and Methodology;
• Other Seed Determination: Emphasis on Weed Seed Identification;
• Detection of Insect Infestation in Seeds;
• Elucidation on Seed Germination Testing & Seedling Evaluation;
• Seed Viability Testing: Standard Operating Protocols;
• Seed Moisture Testing and Calibration of Seed Moisture Testing Equipment;
• Introduction to Seed Vigour Testing Methods and Setting up of Electrical Conductivity Test in Soybean;
• Genetic Purity Testing: Objectives, Principles and Methods;
• Heterogeneity Testing and Deliberations on Tolerance Limits in Seed Testing;
• Maintenance of Laboratory Equipment, Development of Visual Aids and Storage of Guard Samples in Seed Testing Laboratories;
• Principles of Seed Health Testing;
• ISTA Accreditation of Seed Testing Laboratory;
• Comprehensive Outlook on Seed Legislations and Regulations;
• Handling of samples, coding and maintenance of records in seed testing laboratory;
• ISTA Certificates and Rules for its Issuance.

The webinar provided useful information and discussions on the internationally agreed standard procedures & rules for sampling and testing of seeds for quality assurance on various specific areas. In addition, information on ISTA accreditation of seed testing laboratories and how to prepare for attaining and maintaining ISTA accreditation was provided.

In the frame of the Indo-German Project on Seed Sector Development a four-day International Webinar on “Seed Testing for Quality Assurance” was successfully conducted with more than 150 participants of the Northern Zone of India from July 6^th – 9^th, 2021 in cooperation with DAC&FW, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi.

The aim of this webinar was to present and discuss basic principles, methods and rules on seed sampling and testing with reference to the internationally agreed rules and methods of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) www.seedtest.org/en/home.html.

A Seed Testing Laboratory (STL) is the hub of seed quality control. Seed testing is required to assess the seed quality attributes of the seed lots which have to be offered for sale. These quality attributes are particularly physical and genetic purity, seed moisture content, germination and vigour, viability, freedom from seed borne diseases and insect infestation. This information is also needed for labeling and marketing / export purposes.

More than 150 Officials from Seed Department of DAC & FW, MOA, GOI, Officials of State Department of Agriculture, National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporation, Private Seed Industry Associations (NSAI & FSII), ICAR institutes, SAU’s etc. have attended this webinar & participated in active discussions.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Joint Secretary Seeds at DAC&FW has given opening remarks on the first day, Dr. DK Yadavav (ADG Seeds) as zonal coordinator given a lecture on Importance of Seed Testing, Dr. Andreas Wais (Secretary General, ISTA) presented a lecture on International rules for Seed Testing and eminent scientists & subject experts from India, Germany and other countries (often members of ISTA Technical Committees) have chaired and co-chaired the four-day webinar for the general discussions and questions & answers sessions. Along with external experts, Dr. SK Chakrabarty (Head SST, ICAR-IARI), Dr. Sandeep Lal (Principal Scientist, ICAR-IARI), Dr. Shiv K Yadav (Principal Scientist, ICAR- IARI) and other staff of ICAR-IARI as well as Mr. Ekkehard Schroeder (Team Lead, Indo-German Project), Dr. Sowmini Sunkara & Dr. Raghavendra Kavali (National Project Coordinators, Indo-German Project) supported and attended the webinar.

A team of well experienced national and international experts/trainers from public and private sector covered various topics which include:

• Importance of seed testing in quality assurance system;
• Seed Testing Laboratory: Establishment and management;
• International rules for Seed Testing according to ISTA – Overview;
• Seed Sampling: Principles and procedures;
• Seed moisture testing and calibration of seed moisture testing equipment;
• Seed mixture analysis and weed seed identification;
• Physical purity testing: Principles and procedures;
• Thousand seed weight determination and testing seeds by weighted replicates for field planting value;
• Determination of seeds for Other Distinguishable Varieties (ODVs);
• Variety purity testing using morphological traits with special reference to potato, barley and wheat;
• Seed health testing: Principles and procedures;
• Detection of seed transmitted bacteria and viruses;
• Seed vigour testing: Principles and procedures;
• Seed germination testing: methods, special treatments, categories of seedlings in different crops;
• Testing of coated seeds;
• Biochemical tests for seed viability and genetic purity;
• Genetic purity: DNA based testing including genetically modified seeds;
• Calibration of different seed testing equipment- Frequency, precautions, record maintenance and pre- requisite for quality audit compliance;
• ISTA Certificates and Rules for its Issuance.

In addition, information on ISTA accreditation of seed testing laboratories and how to prepare for attaining and maintaining ISTA accreditation was provided.

In the frame of the Indo-German Project on Seed Sector Development an International Webinar on “Capacity Building on Seed Quality Enhancement – Southern Zone” was successfully conducted from June 23^rd to 25^th, 2021 in cooperation with DAC&FW, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India & Indian, the ICAR– Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) in Hyderabad, Telangana and the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. During this capacity building program, the most important seed crops of the Southern Zone were selected i.e., Sorghum, Pearlmillet and Groundnut.

The aim of this webinar was to exchange knowledge & experiences & views between experts of India and Germany/ EU on various technologies and advanced methodologies involved in seed quality enhancement.

More than 250 Officials from Seed Department of DAC & FW, MOA, GOI, Officials of State Department of Agriculture, representatives of Seed Production in National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporation, representatives of the private seed industry associations (NSAI & FSII), senior scientists from ICAR institutes, professors from SAU’s etc. have attended this webinar & participated in active discussions.

Key organizers have been the ICAR- Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, Telangana, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India and Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, DAC& FW in Delhi. In addition, Mr Ekkehard Schroeder (German Team Leader), Dr Sowmini Sunkara & Dr Raghavendra Kavali (National Project Coordinators, Indo- German Cooperation on Seed sector project) supported the preparation and implementation of the webinar.

Dr. Vilas Tonapi (Director, IIMR) as coordinator of the Southern project zone has given opening remarks. Dr. KS Subramanian (Director of Research, TNAU, Coimbatore) has given special address of the webinar, Dr. N. Kumar (Vice – Chancellor, TNAU, Coimbatore) has given presidential address on the first day. Dr. KS Subramanian (Director of Research, TNAU, Coimbatore) chaired the first day sessions, Prof. Rame Gowda (ICAR Emeritus Scientist Former Associate Director of Research, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore), chaired the second day sessions and Dr. Vilas Tonapi (Director, IIMR), chaired the third day sessions including the general discussions and question & answers part. Along with external experts, Dr. S. Sundareswaran (Director, Seed Centre, TNAU, Coimbatore), Dr. Sooganna (Scientist, IIMR), Dr. Venkatesh Bhat (Scientist, IIMR), Dr. R Jerlin (Prof. SST, TNAU), Dr Raja (Prof. TNAU) and other staff of TNAU also attended and supported the webinar.

A team of well experienced national and international experts/trainers from public and private sector covered various topics which include:

• Latest advancements in Seed Quality Enhancement;
• Trends in seed coating and pelleting;
• Seed quality enhancement in groundnut;
• Seed quality – An Overview;
• Seed quality regulation in India;
• Importance of post-harvest technologies in maintaining seed quality;
• Seed quality in relation to dormancy and germination;
• Post-harvest techniques for seed quality improvement;
• Concept of seed vigour and vigour determination;
• Seed quality enhancement through physical seed treatments;
• Application of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence in seed quality enhancement;
• Causes and effects of seed senescence / deterioration;
• Concept of seed priming and its applications;
• Advances in seed health management;
• Importance and measure of seed quality.

All speakers from India and Germany/ EU provided excellent presentations and information on the topics above. Many other participants actively participated and contributed to fruitful discussions during Q & A Sessions on all the three days.

Dr. Vilas Tonapi (Director, IIMR) joined the webinar during the concluding session again and congratulated everyone for the successful implementation of the webinar which was organized under the aegis of the Indo- German Cooperation on Seed Sector Development.

A three-day webinar on “Post-harvest Technologies for Better Seed Quality” with regional focus on Northern Zone of India was successfully conducted during March 15^th – 17^th, 2021 (4 hours per day) in cooperation with

• DAC&FW, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India;
• ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute Regional Station, Karnal, Haryana; and
• Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India.

The capacity building measure was focused on most important seed crops of the Northern Zone, i.e. potato, wheat & barley.

More than 50 Officials from Seed Department of DAC & FW, MOA, GOI, Officials of State Department of Agriculture, National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporation, Private Seed Industry associations (NSAI & FSII), ICAR institutes, SAU’s etc. have attended this webinar & participated in active discussions.

The webinar was opened with welcome remarks of Dr D K Yadava (ADG Seeds). Dr Steven Groot (International expert of Wageningen University), Dr Malavika Dadlani (Former JD-R) and Dr S. K. Chakrabarty (Head, ICAR-IARI) chaired the sessions during the three days. Along with external experts, Dr Sandeep Lal (Principal Scientist, ICAR-IARI), Dr Ashwini Kumar (Principal Scientist, ICAR- IARI, Karnal), Dr Rajinder Singh (Director Seeds – PAU) and other staff of ICAR-IARI also attended the webinar.

The following topics have been covered during the three days:

• Seed development and maturation in relevance to seed quality;
• Seed storage and deterioration: An overview;
• Components, factors influencing seed quality and its maintenance during post-harvest handling: An overview;
• Maintenance of seed quality during seed production;
• Principles of seed drying, storage and packaging: its role in seed quality control;
• Seed processing and post-harvest handling with special reference to potato, wheat and barley;
• Biochemical changes during seed storage and their management with special reference to potato, wheat and barley;
• Potato seed drying, storage and packaging methods;
• Safe seed packaging technologies in potato, wheat and barley;
• Integrated pest management for seed storage with special reference to potato, wheat and barley;
• Seed health management for better seed quality of potato, wheat and barley;
• On-farm seed storage in wheat.

In addition, Mr Ekkehard Schroeder (German Team Leader), Dr Sowmini Sunkara & Dr Raghavendra Kavali (National Project Coordinators, Indo-German Cooperation on Seed Sector Project) also participated and supported the organization of the webinar.

All speakers of the webinar prepared excellent presentations which have been distributed subsequently to the participants.

The international webinar on verification of the maintenance of protected varieties (Post PVP Control Measures) was successfully conducted on April 8^th, 2021 in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GOI, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPVFRA), New Delhi, the Federal Plant Variety Office of Germany (BSA) and the German Plant Breeders’ Association (BDP) in the frame of the Indo-German Co-operation Project on Seed Sector Development. The aim of this webinar was to exchange experiences & views between experts of India and Germany on various aspects involved in post Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Control Measures.

PVP involves the protection of breeders’ rights granted by the competent Authority. After granting PVP it is very crucial to ensure that the protected variety remains uniform and stable. Therefore, the breeder must carry out systematic maintenance breeding. In addition, competent Authorities are obliged to control & verify that the seed lots of a protected plant variety fulfils continuous the necessary requirements in accordance with the variety description.

More than 200 Officials from Seed Department of DAC&FW, MOA, GOI, Staff of PPV&FRA, Officials of DUS centres and Officials of State Department of Agriculture, National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporation, Private Seed Industry associations (NSAI & FSII), ICAR institutes, SAU’s etc. have participated at the webinar.

The webinar was opened with welcome remarks of:

• Shri Ashwani Kumar, Joint Secretary (Seeds), DAC&FW, GOI;
• Dr K. Vinod Prabhu, Chairperson, PPV&FRA, New Delhi; and
• Elmar Pfuelb, President of Federal Plant Variety Office of Germany (BSA).

The following topics have been covered:

• Overview of the system of PVP Post Control Measures in India and the role of PPV&FRA and other actors (Dr T. K. Nagarathna, Registrar at PPV&FRA);
• Overview of the system of PVP Post Control Measures in Germany/EU and the role of BSA and other actors (Friedhilde Trautwein, BSA);
• Activities of BSA to combine reference collection, similar varieties in DUS testing, post control of seed lots and PVP post control activities (Friedhilde Trautwein, BSA);
• Duties of public designated regional Authorities responsible for seed certification, market control, seed quality testing etc. on post control of certified seed in collaboration with BSA in Germany (Henning Brogmus, Head of Seed Certification & Seed Market Control at Designated Authority of German State Schleswig-Holstein);
• Responsibilities of the PVP owner after PVP grant and registration to the National List (Dr Elmar Weissmann, plant breeder in Germany);
• Enforcement of Plant Breeders’ Rights in Germany (Dieter Ruecker, BDP).

In addition, Mr Ekkehard Schroeder (German Team Leader), Dr Sowmini Sunkara & Dr Raghavendra Kavali (National Project Coordinators, Indo- German Cooperation on Seed sector project) also participated and supported the organization of the webinar.

The project is part of the bilateral cooperation programme of the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and implemented by the consortium of ADT Project Consulting GmbH (ADT) and German Plant Breeders’ Association (BDP).

In the frame of the project “Indo-German Cooperation on Seed Sector Development”, a five-day webinar on OECD Seed Certification was successfully conducted between February 08^th – 12^th, 2021 in cooperation with DAC&FW, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and the Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR) – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi and Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Hyderabad. During this capacity building program, the most important seed crops of the Northern Zone (Wheat, Barley & Mustard) and Southern Zone (Maize, Sorghum & Pearl Millet) were selected for the crop specific training part.

The OECD Seed Schemes provide an international framework for the certification of agriculture seed moving in international trade. The OECD Seed Scheme prescribes a set of procedures, methods and techniques for monitoring quality seed supply which assures for maintenance and safeguarding of the varietal identity as well as purity. It provides legal framework for the certification of the crop seeds moving in International trade(www.oecd.org/agriculture/seeds).

India is intending to boost its seed export to other countries of the world. Therefore, capacity building on OECD Seed Certification is important concern of the Government of India and the Indian seed industry. The implementation of international standards on seed certification can help also to improve seed quality in general in India.

The aim of the webinar was to exchange knowledge, experiences & views between experts of India and International OECD experts on various topics related to the OECD Seed Certification Schemes. More than 165 Officials from Seed Department of DAC & FW, MoA, GoI, Officials of State Department of Agriculture, National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporation, Private Seed Industry associations (NSAI & FSII), ICAR institutes, SAU’s, OECD Designated Authorities and Seed Certification agencies etc. of both the Northern & Southern Zones have attended this webinar.

A team of well experienced national and international experts/trainers from public and private sector covered various topics during this webinar which include:

• Overview of national and OECD seed certification systems;
• Status of Implementation of National & OECD Seed Certification Systems in India;
• The Role of International Organisations like ISF, IPPC, UPOV, ISTA, OECD in the Global Seed Trade;
• OECD Seed Schemes Rules and Regulations: Part I & Part II;
• Eligibility criteria and acceptance of varieties – DUS & VCU testing procedures in the context of OECD Seed Certification;
• Overview on Seed Sampling;
• Authorization of Inspectors, samplers & seed testing laboratories;
• Rules and Guidelines for Multiplication Abroad, Post-Control general, Planning and management of control plots, listing of varieties and or hybrids;
• The OECD Scheme for Cereal Seed, Maize, Sorghum Pearlmillet Seed, Crucifer and Other Oil or Fibre Species;
• Registration of seed production fields, general crop and field requirements,
• Field Inspections, inspection reports & Varietal Descriptors –Sorghum, Pearlmillet, Maize, Wheat, Barley & Mustard;
• Labelling 1 – Colour coding, examples of OECD Labels, required information on labels and OECD Varietal Certificates;
• Labelling 2 – Supply of Certification Label & Seed Certification Labelling systems in India vs OECD Seed Schemes.

As international OECD Experts Eddie Goldschagg from South Africa and Gerry Hall from UK had been key trainers. All speakers from India and abroad provided excellent presentations and information on the topics above. Many other participants actively participated and contributed to fruitful discussions during Q & A Sessions on all the five days.