26 02, 2021

International Webinar on OECD Seed Certification Successfully Conducted

By |2021-02-26T17:43:55+00:00February 26th, 2021|0 Comments

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 08th – 12th, 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.

9 02, 2021

International Webinar on Seed Production with Focus on Maize and Paddy

By |2021-02-09T13:14:23+00:00February 9th, 2021|0 Comments

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).

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