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In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation? 1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place. 2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops. 3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The correct answer is option B (3 only).
Let's evaluate each statement:
**Statement 1 is incorrect**: The National Seed Policy 2002 explicitly mentions that "Seed replacement rates will be raised progressively with [1]the objective of expanding the use of quality seeds." This confirms that a National Seeds Policy was indeed in place.
**Statement 2 is incorrect**: Private sector companies like Pioneer are credited for promoting hybrid seed-based farming in India and playing a great role in the Green Revolution.[2] This clearly demonstrates private sector participation in quality seed supply, contradicting the claim of no private sector involvement.
**Statement 3 is correct**: There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.[3] Additionally, seeds are available for fruits, vegetables, flowers and high value crops but not enough seeds are supplied in the case of low value and high volume crops such as rice and wheat.[4] This constraint genuinely hinders wider implementation of improved seed replacement rates.
Therefore, only statement 3 is a valid constraint, making option B the correct answer.
Sources- [1] https://seednet.gov.in/material/National_Seed_Policy_2002.htm
- [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 11: Industries > 31. The Pioneer > p. 112
- [4] https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-08/Working-Group-Report-Demand-Supply-30-07-21.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question blends static policy knowledge (National Seeds Policy 2002) with economic common sense (private sector behavior). It tests if you understand the 'structural incentives' of Indian agriculture—why private players flock to high-margin veggies but ignore low-margin wheat/rice.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"2.7 Seed replacement rates will be raised progressively with the objective of expanding the use of quality seeds."
Why this source?
- The document is the National Seed Policy (2002), showing an official policy existed.
- Section 2.7 explicitly addresses raising seed replacement rates, linking the policy to the Seed Replacement Rates objective.
Web source
Presence: 2/5
"1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place."
Why this source?
- An IAS prelim question option lists 'There is no National Seeds Policy in place' as a possible constraint, indicating the claim was contested or questioned in 2014.
- This passage shows the claim existed in exam options but does not itself confirm the absence of a policy.
- The document is the National Seed Policy (2002), showing an official policy existed.
- Section 2.7 explicitly addresses raising seed replacement rates, linking the policy to the Seed Replacement Rates objective.
- An IAS prelim question option lists 'There is no National Seeds Policy in place' as a possible constraint, indicating the claim was contested or questioned in 2014.
- This passage shows the claim existed in exam options but does not itself confirm the absence of a policy.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > 2016 > p. 362
Strength: 5/5
“Which of the statements given above is/are correct? • (a) 1 only• (c) Both 1 and 2 • (b) 2 only• (d) Neither 1 nor 2 • 26. In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation? • 1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place. • 2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops. • 3 Select the correct answer using the code given below: • (a) 1 and 2 • (b) 3 only • (c) 2 and 3 • (d) None of these • 27.”
Why relevant
This exam-style snippet lists 'There is no National Seeds Policy in place' as a stated constraint affecting seed replacement rates, indicating that the absence of a national policy was considered a possible problem in this context.
How to extend
A student could take this claim as a lead to check contemporary government documents or policy timelines (circa 2013–2015) to verify whether an official National Seeds Policy existed then.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > SEEDS ACT, 1966 > p. 300
Strength: 4/5
“• It provides legal framework for seed certification and ensures availability of quality seeds to \bulletcultivators. • The Act covers seeds of food crops, oil crops, cotton seeds, seeds of cattle fodder and all types of vegetative propagating material. • Under this Act, Seeds Rules were notified in 1968 and the systematic seeds certification started in India in 1969. • Central Seed Committee was established under the Act.”
Why relevant
Describes the Seeds Act, 1966 as the legal framework for seed certification, showing that seed governance relied on older legislation rather than citing a newer national policy.
How to extend
One could contrast the presence of the 1966 Act with the absence of mention of a National Seeds Policy in these texts to infer the likely policy environment and then verify with external policy records from ~2014.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > SEEDS ACT, 1966 > p. 301
Strength: 4/5
“Agriculture 9.15
In an effort to bring amendment in the old existing Seeds Act, 1966, Seeds Bill was introduced in 2004, but it did not materialise into bringing amendments in the existing Act due to several shortcomings. Recently, the present government has finalised a Draft Seeds Bill, 2019.”
Why relevant
Notes attempts to amend the 1966 Act (Seeds Bill 2004 did not materialise; Draft Seeds Bill, 2019 later), implying ongoing reform efforts and no settled new legislative/policy regime during the intervening years.
How to extend
A student could infer that if major legislative reforms were unresolved through 2019, a distinct, formally adopted National Seeds Policy around 2014 was less likely and should be checked against official archives or ministry releases from 2014.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > SEEDS > p. 299
Strength: 3/5
“• The efficiency of other agricultural inputs like fertilizers is dependent on seed.• Developed variety of seeds augment agriculture production and productivity.• Only 9.4 per cent of the total operational holding in India use certified seeds and only 9.8 per cent use hybrid seeds.• Seed Replacement Ratio: It is a measure of how much of the total cropped area was sown with certified seeds in comparison to farm-saved seeds.”
Why relevant
Provides data on low usage of certified and hybrid seeds and defines Seed Replacement Ratio, highlighting recognized problems that a National Seeds Policy might address.
How to extend
One could use these performance indicators as reason to expect either an existing national policy addressing them or policy discussions; checking policy documents or official strategies from 2014 would clarify which was true.
This exam-style snippet lists 'There is no National Seeds Policy in place' as a stated constraint affecting seed replacement rates, indicating that the absence of a national policy was considered a possible problem in this context.
A student could take this claim as a lead to check contemporary government documents or policy timelines (circa 2013–2015) to verify whether an official National Seeds Policy existed then.
Describes the Seeds Act, 1966 as the legal framework for seed certification, showing that seed governance relied on older legislation rather than citing a newer national policy.
One could contrast the presence of the 1966 Act with the absence of mention of a National Seeds Policy in these texts to infer the likely policy environment and then verify with external policy records from ~2014.
Notes attempts to amend the 1966 Act (Seeds Bill 2004 did not materialise; Draft Seeds Bill, 2019 later), implying ongoing reform efforts and no settled new legislative/policy regime during the intervening years.
A student could infer that if major legislative reforms were unresolved through 2019, a distinct, formally adopted National Seeds Policy around 2014 was less likely and should be checked against official archives or ministry releases from 2014.
Provides data on low usage of certified and hybrid seeds and defines Seed Replacement Ratio, highlighting recognized problems that a National Seeds Policy might address.
One could use these performance indicators as reason to expect either an existing national policy addressing them or policy discussions; checking policy documents or official strategies from 2014 would clarify which was true.
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