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Which one of the following best describes the main objective of 'Seed Village Concept'?
Explanation
A 'seed village' is a trained group of farmers engaged in the production of seeds for various crops.[1] They not only meet their own seed requirements but also support fellow farmers within the village and neighbouring villages by providing timely and affordable access to seeds[2], and seeds can be made available at the door steps of the farmers at right time, at affordable cost[3]. One of the major objectives of the Seed Village Programme (SVP) is to enhance the quality of these farm-saved[5] seeds[4], alongside objectives to increase the Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) and to enhance the horizontal spread of high yielding varieties[5].
Option B accurately captures this objective by emphasizing farmer training in quality seed production and making quality seeds available to others at appropriate times and affordable costs. Options A, C, and D misrepresent the program—it doesn't discourage buying seeds from others, doesn't exclusively earmark villages for certified seed production alone, and isn't focused on creating seed company entrepreneurs.
Sources- [1] https://www.crispindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CRISP-CGIAR-Seed-Eqaul-Policy-Brief-Dec-2023-1_compressed.pdf
- [2] https://www.crispindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CRISP-CGIAR-Seed-Eqaul-Policy-Brief-Dec-2023-1_compressed.pdf
- [4] https://www.crispindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CRISP-CGIAR-Seed-Eqaul-Policy-Brief-Dec-2023-1_compressed.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Term Definition' question derived from Government Scheme guidelines (Ministry of Agriculture). While standard books discuss seed policies generally, the specific definition of 'Seed Village' requires reading the actual objectives of the 'Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material'. The key was distinguishing between 'subsistence' (Option A) and 'commercial capacity building' (Option B).
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
"One of the major objectives of the Seed Village Programme (SVP) is to enhance the quality of these farm-saved seeds[2] (Box 1)."
Why this source?
- Defines a major objective as improving the quality of farm-saved seeds, showing the program focuses on enhancing saved-seed quality rather than simply forcing farmers to use only their own seed.
- Describes seed villages as producing seeds to meet their own and neighbouring villages' needs and to provide timely, affordable access — emphasizing availability and quality, not discouragement of external purchases.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"To improve the quality of Farm Saved Seeds"
Why this source?
- Lists improving the quality of farm-saved seeds and increasing seed replacement rate as core objectives — showing the aim is quality and appropriate use, not merely to prevent buying seed.
- Also aims to spread high-yielding varieties among farmers, indicating promotion of access to improved seed varieties rather than discouraging external seed sources per se.
- Defines a major objective as improving the quality of farm-saved seeds, showing the program focuses on enhancing saved-seed quality rather than simply forcing farmers to use only their own seed.
- Describes seed villages as producing seeds to meet their own and neighbouring villages' needs and to provide timely, affordable access — emphasizing availability and quality, not discouragement of external purchases.
- Lists improving the quality of farm-saved seeds and increasing seed replacement rate as core objectives — showing the aim is quality and appropriate use, not merely to prevent buying seed.
- Also aims to spread high-yielding varieties among farmers, indicating promotion of access to improved seed varieties rather than discouraging external seed sources per se.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Major Reforms Undertaken in Seeds Sector > p. 299
Strength: 5/5
“• National Mission for Seeds was launched in 2012 to ensure availability of high-quality certified seeds at reasonable price to farmers.
Another centrally sponsored scheme was launched before that in 2005-06 named 'Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds'.
The scheme is ongoing and its objectives include - production and multiplication of highyielding certified/quality seeds of all crops in sufficient quantities in order to make them available even in the remotest part of India.”
Why relevant
Describes central/state missions aimed at ensuring availability of high-quality certified seeds to farmers, implying policy focus can be on distributing certified seed rather than promoting exclusively on-farm seed use.
How to extend
A student could contrast this policy goal (make certified seeds available) with the claim about encouraging farm-saved seed to see if 'Seed Village' aligns more with distribution or self-reliance.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > Similarities between Organic Farming and ZBNF: > p. 349
Strength: 4/5
“• Organic and natural farming both systems discourage farmers from using any chemical fertilizers, pesticides on plants and in all agricultural practices.• Both farming methods encourage farmers to use local breeds of seeds, and native varieties of vegetables, grains, pulses and other crops.• Both farming methods promote nonchemical and homemade pest control methods.”
Why relevant
Notes that organic/natural farming encourages use of local/native seed varieties, providing a precedent where policy or practice promotes farm/local seed use.
How to extend
One could extend this by checking whether 'Seed Village' is grouped with organic/local seed promotion programs or with national certified-seed programs.
Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: The Story of Village Palampur > P) - Provisional Data > p. 4
Strength: 3/5
“Till the mid-1960s, the seeds used in cultivation were traditional ones with relatively low yields. Traditional seeds needed less irrigation. Farmers used cow-dung and other natural manure as fertilizers. All these were readily available with the farmers who did not have to buy them. The Green Revolution in the late 1960s introduced the Indian farmer to cultivation of wheat and rice using high yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds. Compared to the traditional seeds, the HYV seeds promised to produce much greater amounts of grain on a single plant. As a result, the same piece of land would now produce far larger quantities of foodgrains than was possible earlier.”
Why relevant
Explains historical use of traditional (farm-saved) seeds which were readily available to farmers, giving context that farm-saved seeds have been a common objective in some agricultural practices.
How to extend
Use this historical pattern plus a map/local surveys to judge whether 'Seed Village' revives traditional seed use or instead pushes modern HYV/certified seeds.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Geographical Constraints in the Adoption of New Seeds > p. 46
Strength: 3/5
“The new seeds are undoubtedly land substituting, water economising, more labour using, and employment generating innovations. Nevertheless, they are very delicate and therefore, require a great deal of care for obtaining a successful harvest. For example, the new seeds are less resistant to droughts and floods and need an efficient management of water, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides. Any lapse on the part of the farmer in the application of these inputs may reduce the production substantially. In order to obtain a satisfactory agricultural return, the farmer should be in a position to arrange the costly inputs on time for which sufficient surplus capital should be available.”
Why relevant
Points out that new high-yielding seeds need costly inputs and careful management, which can make farmers prefer resilient local/farm-saved seeds to avoid input costs.
How to extend
A student could infer that a 'Seed Village' aimed at reducing input dependency might promote farm-saved/local seeds and then look for program texts to confirm.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Challenges > p. 313
Strength: 4/5
“• Sponsors delay in providing promised inputs like seeds or they give seeds that are of low quality. • In reality, sometimes farmers aren't given a written contract at all and create power asymmetries. • Quality is determined by the sponsors and they can manipulate to bring down prices.”
Why relevant
Mentions problems where sponsors delay providing inputs or supply low-quality seeds, suggesting a rationale for programs that encourage farmer-controlled seed sources to reduce dependency on external suppliers.
How to extend
Combine this pattern with local reports or program objectives to test whether 'Seed Village' was designed to mitigate such supplier risks by promoting on-farm seed production.
Describes central/state missions aimed at ensuring availability of high-quality certified seeds to farmers, implying policy focus can be on distributing certified seed rather than promoting exclusively on-farm seed use.
A student could contrast this policy goal (make certified seeds available) with the claim about encouraging farm-saved seed to see if 'Seed Village' aligns more with distribution or self-reliance.
Notes that organic/natural farming encourages use of local/native seed varieties, providing a precedent where policy or practice promotes farm/local seed use.
One could extend this by checking whether 'Seed Village' is grouped with organic/local seed promotion programs or with national certified-seed programs.
Explains historical use of traditional (farm-saved) seeds which were readily available to farmers, giving context that farm-saved seeds have been a common objective in some agricultural practices.
Use this historical pattern plus a map/local surveys to judge whether 'Seed Village' revives traditional seed use or instead pushes modern HYV/certified seeds.
Points out that new high-yielding seeds need costly inputs and careful management, which can make farmers prefer resilient local/farm-saved seeds to avoid input costs.
A student could infer that a 'Seed Village' aimed at reducing input dependency might promote farm-saved/local seeds and then look for program texts to confirm.
Mentions problems where sponsors delay providing inputs or supply low-quality seeds, suggesting a rationale for programs that encourage farmer-controlled seed sources to reduce dependency on external suppliers.
Combine this pattern with local reports or program objectives to test whether 'Seed Village' was designed to mitigate such supplier risks by promoting on-farm seed production.
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