New Delhi, April 1: The central government announced on Wednesday that India has an ample supply of seeds for the upcoming Kharif season. This statement comes amid ongoing concerns about supply chains due to tensions in West Asia.
Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, stated during an inter-ministerial briefing that the country has a self-reliant seed system supported by both the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the public sector, in addition to the private sector.
Furthermore, a robust supply chain of seeds and breeding materials (certified, foundational, hybrid seeds) is in place to address any potential disruptions.
Dwivedi noted that wholesale prices of all agricultural products are being monitored. She added that the prices of key crops like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes remain stable and show signs of improvement, with positive trends continuing at the wholesale level.
According to the government, there is a surplus of 1.929 million quintals of seeds for the 2026 Kharif season. The agricultural sector requires 16.646 million quintals of seeds, while 18.574 million quintals are available in the country.
Additionally, arrangements for seeds for the Rabi season have already been made. The government has assessed the impact on farmers and their fertilizer needs for the Kharif season. Measures taken in recent years to maintain a sufficient stock of fertilizers will ensure timely availability and food security.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently emphasized the need for a fair and uninterrupted supply of fertilizers and instructed officials to expedite the creation of ‘Farmer IDs’ to enhance transparency in the distribution system. He also mentioned plans to meet with Chief Ministers and State Agriculture Ministers soon to coordinate these efforts.
The minister further stated that strict action has been directed against those engaging in black marketing and hoarding of fertilizers and seeds, taking advantage of the global crisis. Chouhan encouraged state governments to take stringent measures in this regard.
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