In this article we will discuss about the vegetable seed business in South Asia and strategies adopted for its success.
South Asian region which comprises of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan with a population around 1.5 billion is the most important region for evolution, development, adoption and transmission of technology for both vegetables and their seeds. The horticultural crops form a significant component of total agricultural economy in South Asian countries.
Amongst them, vegetables play a very important role in the health and nutritional security of human beings, in addition to improving the economy of the people. The productivity of vegetables per unit area and time is much higher than the cereals. Being short duration crops, vegetables fit well in the cropping systems.
Vegetable growing also offers more employment opportunities because of labour intensive nature. South Asia being bestowed with variable climatic conditions is the most suitable region for growing both tropical and temperate vegetables and has also a higher export potential to generate valuable foreign exchange.
Quality seed is the most important single input for production of vegetable crops. Seeds are regarded as the parent source to bring change in country’s economy. The most important is genetic quality. The other aspects of quality which can affect the growth of a crop are – quality of viability and germination, analytical quality, health quality and physical quality. In addition, seed needs to have good storage quality to ensure that it maintains viability & vigour until it is used for sowing.
A special attention need to be emphasized is field inspection, roguing, isolation distance, roguing at appropriate stage for removing off types, diseased and other undesirable plants. Selection of healthy plants for quality seed, timely harvesting, extraction, separation, threshing and proper processing are necessary.
A good quality seed should be good looking, viable, vigorous, genetically pure, bold and uniform size of the desired type, free from diseases, insect pests, weed seeds, foreign matter, better longevity with high germination percentage & good yielding ability with wider adaptability.
The planting of good seed is essential for the success in crop production. However, producers cannot achieve success with poor seed, even when they give their closest attention on other factors of production. Without healthy and quality seed all our expenditure on irrigation, labour, cultural practices, fertilizers and manures have no value.
Seed processing is the important component of quality seed production in achieving the prescribed physical seed standards and thus recognized as an important and integral part of the seed industry. Seed material received after harvesting/ extraction contains some unwanted matters.
It has to be processed to remove contaminants as well as to size grade for enhancing the quality and to apply chemical protectants before packaging and storage. Some of the countries in the region have processing facilities but some have insufficient capacities to meet full requirements. Similarly, good seed storage is also a basic requirement in vegetable seed production.
To keep vegetable seed for a long time would therefore necessitate having better storage conditions which would prolong the shelf life of seeds. Three levels of storage are used in the formal seed supply system in South Asia. These are short-term storage at processing plants, medium term storage between processing plants and marketing outlets and long term storage for seed security in the event of natural disasters and crop failures during certain years.
The natural moisture content of seed is gradually reduced as they mature and ripen. By the time it is separated from the mother plant the seed moisture content is below 50 per cent and their after the moisture content is in equilibrium with the storage atmosphere. It is necessary to dry seeds immediately when they first arrive at the processing plant from the field after extraction or possibly after processing but before storage and packaging.
The rate at which a seed-lot can be dried artificially depends on the packaging needs and initial moisture content of the seed. Lettuce and cucurbits are considered to be relatively quick driers; carrot, beet and tomato, medium drier, while legumes, brassicas and onion are slow driers. Determination of seed moisture content of a seed lot is described by ISTA (1985).
This is based on an oven drying method. There are several electric moisture meters available and they are extremely useful as a guide for quick determination. A wide range of materials and types of containers are used for packaging seeds includes cotton, paper, polythene, gunny bags, aluminum foil, tin foil etc. Label on a seed package is necessary for immediately identifying the contents.
After completion of processing it is necessary to keep the seed under the best possible conditions to ensure the maximum vigour potential, germination and other quality factors. Stored seeds are the primary input in vegetable cropping programme and are vital link between successive crop generations.
In commerce, seed in store represents a significant proportion of the seed companies’ material assets. Thus, seed stores should maintain low temperature and low relative humidity. Adequate pre-storage pesticidal/ fungicidal treatments should be given to protect seeds from insects, pests and microbes.
Vegetable seeds are the potent source to bring change in the economical status of the country. In modern era, seed selection, seed extraction, processing and storage have been established on a scientific basis. A scientific base has also been evolved on the systemic testing of vegetable seeds for the various factors which control the quality of seed.
Vegetable seed testing is very essential operation required to assess the seed quality attributes of the vegetable seed lots which have to be offered for sale or storage. The quality attributes need to be evaluated are seed germination, seed moisture content, vigour, physical purity & freedom from diseases and insects infestation.
The standard seed testing methods for vegetable seed crops approved by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and seed technologists from all over world have played a great role in this direction. In most of the South Asian countries, seed produced by the formal seed sector is required to go through several testing procedures in order to maintain quality. Seed legislations that stipulate quality standards for each crop need to be followed.
Seed marketing infrastructure is not developed to a sufficient level in most countries of South Asia. Vegetable seed marketing should aim to satisfy the farmer’s demand for reliable supply of a range of improved seed varieties of assured quality at an acceptable price. The success of vegetable seed production will depend on the sale prices of seed for earning higher returns.
Thus it is of utmost importance to make prior and proper decisions on how the seed should be marketed and in what quantity needed and to be produced. One the other hand, while buying it is difficult to know the quality of seed simply by looking at all. Cheap seeds of different vegetables are also available in the market but it is risky to purchase them. Avoid the help of middlemen for obtaining seeds.
The more the intermediate hands, greater are the chances of mixing and increasing the cost of distribution. Sometimes even seeds of inferior quality are obtained through them. It is always better to obtain all possible information on reliability of seeds then purchase them even at a higher price.
It is therefore, necessary that seeds should be purchased from those seeds men who have a good reputation and are of known integrity, so that the producer may get good seed of the right variety and strain. Government farms and authorized dealers of National Seeds Corporation can provide seeds of very high quality. When certified seeds are available, find out what the certificate says, which is provided on printed tags or labels for the guidance of buyers.
Strategies for Successful Vegetable Seed Business in South Asia:
South Asia being bestowed with diverse climatic conditions is the most suitable region for growing tropical, sub-tropical and temperate vegetables and also has a higher export potential to generate valuable foreign exchange. With the rapid increase of population in the region, the requirement for vegetables would increase proportionately. The per capita per day availability of vegetables in South Asia is only 96 g against the minimum requirement of about 285g for a balance diet.
Thus, reflecting a vast potential for improving the production and availability. Although quality seed is a crucial factor for increasing vegetable production but majority of South Asian farmers are not inclined to purchase a quality seed. The seed replacement rate is very low.
Therefore, strategic management is one of the most vital key to the success of seed enterprise. So, necessary strategic reforms are needed to address new challenges and opportunities of seed business in South Asia.
SAARC Background:
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political organization of eight countries in South Asia. In terms of population, its sphere of influence is the largest of any regional organization as the combined population of its member states is almost 1-5 billion. It was established on December 8, 1985 by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. During SAARC 14th summit in April 2007; Afghanistan became its eighth member.
The SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC) is the first Regional Centre established by SAARC. It is located at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) complex, Dhaka, Bangladesh. SAIC has started its functioning in Dhaka since 1989. It serves to network relevant information centres in the member states of SAARC and exchange regionally generated technical information to strengthen agricultural research, development and innovations.
As one of the SAARC regional centres of excellence with the mandate to establish regional information network on agriculture, SAIC harnesses the tools of information and communication technologies (ICT) and facilitate in the exchange of best practices to accelerate regional cooperation.
The Objectives of the Association:
i. To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.
ii. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential.
iii. To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.
iv. To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems.
v. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields.
vi. To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
vii. To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest.
viii. To cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes.
Necessary Strategies for Successful Seed Business in South Asia:
1. Establishment of Strong Collaboration and Linkage:
A good number of organizations (both public and private sector) are now contributing in vegetable seed sector in South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka which offer good capabilities and capacities for collaborative efforts in research and development. Therefore, strong coordination and linkage among South Asian countries is needed.
2. Strong Leadership:
Leadership may be most difficult and challenging part of job, because it is often the most nebulous and fraught with political risk. But it can also be the most rewarding. Leader should be of a specific background having capability to identify problems for research leading to improvement in the seed programme as a whole.
3. Human Resources Development:
The human resource development is again very weak in South Asian countries and majority of the seed producers and the farmers engaged in seed industry require proper education/training which will certainly help them in producing & marketing higher quality seed.
4. A Good Coordination between Public and Private Sector:
A good coordination should be established between public and private sector agencies through their research and development programmes aimed at seed multiplication/ production, processing, storage as well as appropriate seed testing procedures for export need to be established. Major seed producers and exporters should be encouraged to form consortium of seed traders/exporters to offer an ideal environment for fixing and achieving targets, quality evaluation and assurance and seed import and exports.
5. Education and Outreach Programmes:
No seed improvement program can achieve its full potential without an effective outreach and educational programmes. This applies to variety release, seed stock management and seed increase as well as providing educational information to farmers and others who will buy and use the seed.
Seed producers need to be educated to appreciate and understand their special role in producing high quality seed that is genetically pure. They should understand the strengths and weakness of each variety they produce. They should understand special production, processing and marketing procedures and should also be encouraged to develop leadership within their own group.
6. Establishment of Seed Quality Standards:
Minimum quality standards for purity, germination and weed content are included in seed legislation enacted by government agencies. These requirements change frequently, so someone in the organization/company should be charged with the responsibility of keeping an up-to- date information of these requirements at all times.
7. Quality Assurance Schemes:
In South Asia certain inspection and seed certification standards need thorough revision and hence, seed testing and certification facilities should be scientifically studied and re-established in conformity with international requirements. Under the aegis of intellectual property rights and ever modernizing biotechnological and transgenic crop research. South Asian countries should be well prepared to offer realistic protection to seed producers, exporters and importers.
8. Establishing Centralized Quality Evaluation System:
Appropriate testing procedures must be developed for each seed quality attribute to be monitored throughout the production, processing and marketing cycle. Several test procedures are prescribed in the ISTA rules and other publications on seed testing methodology in many countries. In the context of uniform seed testing and evolution, constituting centralized facilities on cost basis for all seed-producing and exporting agencies would be truly effective.
The seed testing personnel should also be trained frequently with new techniques useful for purity evaluation and reporting to keep the South Asian seed industry at par to the international standards. Suitable legislations are to be framed and necessary trainings are to be imparted to encourage all the seed businessmen to assure the quality considerations.
9. Organic Seed Production Programme:
The organic vegetable industry is flourishing due to consumer’s preference for organically grown produce over traditionally produced vegetables. As a result, an increase in the variety and selection of many vegetables in retail supermarkets and restaurants throughout the world has occurred recently.
With the new regulation requiring organic seed sources for organically labeled vegetables, many organic growers are searching for certified organic seed. The commercial seed sector is starting to provide a more diverse selection of cultivars, yet there are still many hybrids that are not available. For growers in South Asia, there is opportunity to produce organic seed, though it is not widely practiced.
10. Seed Village Programme:
Seed village approach is the most useful for South Asian countries. The main objective is increasing production and productivity through better input-supply, extension support and infrastructural facilities. Supply of inputs at subsidized rate, production of certified seeds, laying of block demonstration, distribution of mini-kits to popularize new varieties, farm mechanization are some of the novel features of these schemes.
Main aim of implementing the seed village scheme is to make each village self-sufficient in seed requirement without much dependence on the outside agencies.
11. Healthy Development of Private Industry:
The private seed sector is meeting more than half of the seed requirements. Many of the seed industries have their well-organized varietal development programme including bio-technological approaches. For healthy development of seed industry in the country, both public and private sectors have to be strengthened particularly in the changing agricultural scenario.
12. Incentives to Domestic Seed Industry:
Incentives should be provided to domestic seed industry to enable it to produce quality seed of high yielding varieties and hybrids. Currently, there should be a reduction of import duty on machines and equipment’s used for seed production, processing and testing, which are otherwise not manufactured in the country.
Since, production and export of vegetable seeds especially of hybrids involve more money and risk, financial support for capital investment, working capital and infrastructural strengthening should be facilitated.
13. Seed Demand Forecasting:
In South Asian countries, information base is very poor in terms of forecasting seed demand. These forecasts vary considerably. A demand matrix is required and to be updated annually.
14. Processing and Packaging:
Seed processing, though the most important component of seed industry, has not been given due importance. In the developed countries, computerized seed processing system, ultrasound technology and image analysis techniques are now being used, while South Asia still need to develop technologies like seed drying temperature, bulking, blending, colouring of seed etc.
We should strengthen the research on seed processing aspects. A large quantity of valuable seed is lost during storage because of improper packaging and storage conditions. In vegetables where the longevity of the seed reduces very fast, the proper packaging and storage facilities should be created to avoid huge losses. This can be developed at the government level/cooperative basis.
15. Management of Seed Distribution:
Distribution is the process of moving packaged seed from the stores, where it is held following processing and packing, to the farmers.
Distribution covers:
i. Right products
ii. In the right quantity
iii. At the right time
iv. In the right place
v. In the right condition
vi. At the right price
vii. Under the right contractual terms
16. Uniform Pricing and E-Marketing:
Extensive facilities for taking up e- marketing of seeds within the country and abroad need to be created. This would facilitate to ensure uniform pricing and good marketing opportunities as well as ensure importing countries with the information regarding availability of vegetable seeds.
A database on availability of seeds of different crops to access impact of exports on domestic availability of vegetable seeds should be created. The South Asian vegetable seed industry should be provided with a congenial and liberalized climate for increasing seed production and marketing, both at domestic and international levels.