In the frame of the project “Indo-German Cooperation on Seed Sector Development“ an extensive capacity building programme in 5 technical areas will be implemented in 2021 & 2022 in 3 agro-climatic zones (Northern, Eastern and Southern Zones of India):

  1. Capacity Building on Seed Production;
  2. Capacity Building on Post-harvest Technologies for Better Seed Quality;
  3. Capacity Building on Seed Quality Enhancement;
  4. Capacity Building on Seed Testing According ISTA Standards;
  5. Capacity Building on OECD Seed Certification.

From February 03rd – 05th, 2021 the second International Webinar “Capacity Building on Seed Production” in the Eastern Zone was successfully conducted this year in cooperation with DAC&FW, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and the Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR) – Indian Institute of Seed Science (IISS), Mau. During this capacity building program, the most important seed crops of Eastern zone were selected i.e., Maize & Paddy.

More than 65 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.

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

  • Indian Seed Industry: An Overview on Maize & Paddy Segmentation;
  • Maintenance Breeding & Breeder Seed Production: SOPs in Paddy (OPVs & Hybrids);
  • Maintenance Breeding & Breeder Seed Production: SOPs in Maize (OPVs & Hybrids);
  • Latest Trends & Technologies in Maize Seed Production;
  • Indian Seed Industry: Current Trends and Future Outlook;
  • Foundation & Certified Seed Production: SOPs in Paddy (OPVs);
  • Foundation & Certified Seed Production in Paddy Hybrids;
  • Foundation & Certified Seed Production in Maize Hybrids;
  • General Principles of Quality Seed Production;
  • Seed Production and Supply System in India: Opportunities and Challenges;
  • Recent Advances in Storage Seed Insects Pests Management;
  • Detection and Management of Seed Borne Pathogens in Paddy & Maize;
  • Seed Quality Enhancement in Paddy & Maize.

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

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