India Faces Critical Threats to Food and Feed Security, Urgent Reforms Needed in Seed Sector
23 August 2024, New Delhi: India’s food and feed security is under increasing threat, according to a new policy paper from the Kisan-Vigyan Foundation (KAKV Foundation). The think-tank, dedicated to enhancing food and feed security and supporting agricultural policies, warns that the country’s ability to provide sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for its growing population is at risk.
The 2023 Global Hunger Index ranks India 111th out of 125 countries, marking a deterioration from the previous year. This decline, coupled with the fact that a quarter of the world’s hungry live in India, underscores the urgent need for strategic interventions. The paper identifies several pressing issues contributing to the risk. Projections indicate that by 2030, the country will need to produce over 370 million tons of food to sustain its expanding population. Additionally, deficiencies in feed resources are substantial, with shortages of 35.6% for green fodder, 10.95% for dry fodder, and 44% for concentrate feed materials. Meeting the livestock feed requirements will necessitate producing 738 million tons of dry matter, a daunting target given current land use constraints.
Agricultural productivity in India suffers from various challenges, including fragmented land holdings, insufficient irrigation infrastructure, outdated farming practices, and limited access to modern technology and credit. Climate change exacerbates these issues, with erratic weather patterns and water scarcity negatively impacting crop yields and agricultural sustainability. Moreover, land degradation caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizers and poor land management further threatens productivity.
Critical Role of Seed Sector
At the heart of the Foundation’s recommendations is the seed sector, which plays a crucial role in ensuring food and feed security. While there have been advancements in developing high-yielding seed varieties, the paper points out that the current seed system faces several challenges.
The implementation of a comprehensive germplasm release system is essential. India’s partial adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) has led to confusion among stakeholders. The Foundation advocates for a unified approach, aligning germplasm exchange with international standards and centralizing management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Additionally, an independent system for trialing and releasing seed varieties is needed. Varieties should be tested for at least two seasons and validated by farmers before release, with careful monitoring of seed distribution to avoid the release of underperforming varieties.
Streamlined Seed Registration
Seed registration should be streamlined to align with agro-climatic zones rather than state boundaries. This approach would ensure that varieties are suitable for specific regions and simplify the registration process. The Foundation also suggests that seed varieties should be released based on their performance and adoption by farmers, with criteria tailored to different crop types and regions.
The adoption of modern breeding technologies is another crucial aspect. The regulatory framework must facilitate the use of these technologies to improve productivity and address climate change impacts. Establishing clear criteria for return-on-investment (ROI) for research can incentivize innovation and enhance resource accountability.
The paper also emphasizes the need for public-private partnerships to optimize research and development efforts. By combining the strengths of both sectors, India can enhance seed quality and availability, addressing critical challenges in food and feed security.
Finally, the Foundation calls for a review of the seed subsidy policy to address issues such as timely seed availability, procurement processes, and the effectiveness of subsidies. A national seed plan based on farmer feedback, rather than solely on variety release dates, is urgently needed.
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