Certified seed production is a profitable business that requires considerable technical skill and a number of rigid requirements to ensure high purity and germination of seed.
Seed multiplication involves two aspects, seed production and seed processing. Seed production requires improved cultural practices and efficient weed, disease, and pest control.
Generally, every state government has a specific body for seed certification here is the list of seed certification agencies in Inda. The certification process involves thorough testing throughout the session. Any individual can initiate this venture on a small scale concentrating on one or two crops.
The rising demand for food and rapid decline in arable land has augmented the demand for agricultural products which in turn exerted pressure on farmers to increase the productivity of various crops grown on available limited land.
In order to avail optimum utilization of the land available for cultivation, the use of improved & high-yielding seeds is considered essential. Certified seeds are consequently seen as those products which can improve the return on investment and respond to consumer demands for economical agricultural production by increasing per unit seed production and per hectare production.
The business has long-term operational measures. You must craft a business plan according to finance availability. For cultivation, it requires huge land. Careful field selection is mandatory for quality yield. The land should be level, fertile, and free from noxious weeds common to the crop.
Contract farming is the best way to start when you don’t have enough land of your own. Determine which seed you will be going to produce. According to the land acquired, go for arranging breeder seed. Prepare the budget with the input costs. Craft financial planning with investment and projected ROI.
Certified seed production includes three major operations such as isolation, cultivation, and certification. Certified seed production fields are carefully isolated from other crops to prevent contamination from other varieties or crop kinds. You must inspect your crops throughout the growing season. Proper measures must be taken to protect the seed crop from disease and pests. Govt. agency will inspect your field.
After passing the inspection and meeting you will receive an official crop certificate. At the proper stage of maturity, you must harvest the seed crop. Testing & Grading: Certified seed requires separate storage to preserve unique genetic identities. The Govt. agency will test and verify your seeds in an accredited lab for compliance with standards for germination and physical purity. The final step of certified seed production is bagging labeled by variety name with an officially certified seed tag.
Are you thinking about starting your own certified seed production business? If so, you’ll need to follow a few key steps to get started.
First, you’ll need to choose the type of seed you want to produce. There are many different types of seeds, so it’s important to select the one that best suits your needs. Once you’ve selected a type of seed, you’ll need to acquire the necessary licenses and permits. In most cases, you’ll need to obtain a license from the Department of Agriculture.
Next, you’ll need to purchase the appropriate equipment. This includes seed cleaners, seed drills, and other specialized equipment. Once you have the equipment, you’ll need to find a suitable location for your business. It’s important to find a location that has adequate space for your equipment and enough land for seed production.
Once you’ve found a location and acquired the necessary equipment, you’re ready to start producing seeds. The first step is to clean the seeds. This removes impurities and ensures that the seeds are of the highest quality. Next, the seeds are drill-planted in rows. Once the seeds have germinated, they’re thinned to the appropriate spacing. Finally, the seeds are harvested and sorted according to size and quality.
If you follow these steps, you can start your own certified seed production business. With a little hard work and dedication, you can be successful in this exciting and rewarding industry.