Quality seeds for food self sufficiency and food security in Nepal

Quality seed

Seed is a fertilized mature ovule that posses an embryonic plant, stored food material (endosperm) and a protective coat (testa) , which is viable and has capacity to germinate.

Quality seed is defined as varietally pure with a high germination percentage , free from disease and disease organisms , and with a proper moisture content and weight. The quality of seed is considered as an important factor for increasing yield. The use of high-quality seeds contributes significantly to the country’s food security by increasing productivity per unit area. Seeds of high quality have the potential to make efficient use of fertilizers and irrigation. For the production, processing, preservation, and timely distribution of sufficient quantities of high- quality seeds to farmers , well-thought-out policies, planning ,a friendly regulatory system , and capacity and structural improvement facilities in both the public and private sectors are required.

Food security and Food self sufficiency

According to the United Nations Committee on world Food security , food security is defined as meaning that all people , at all times , have physical , social and economic access to sufficient , safe and nutritious food that meet their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Although food security and food self sufficiency sounds quite similar, those two are different terms. “Food security” means being able to get adequate and sufficient food, regardless of where it comes from but “food self sufficiency” is when we grow all the food we need, within the country. Thus food self sufficiency is quite important in Nepal, majorly being a landlocked country.

Characteristics of quality seed

The major seed quality characteristics are summarised as below.

1. Physical quality: It is the cleanliness of seed from other seeds , debris , inert materials , diseased seed , and insect damaged seed .

Seeds that are shriveled , diseased mottled, deformed, discolored and empty should be avoided. The seed should be easily recognizable as belonging to a given specied category. The absence of this qualitative element will have an indirect impact on fields establishment and planting value of seed. This quality character could be obtained with seed lots by proper cleaning and grading of seed (processing) after collection and before sowing/ storage.

2. Genetic purity: The variety of seed should be true to type ( same as parent material). There should be any genetic deterioration in the variety. This quality is important for achieving the desired goal of crop either yield or for resistance or for desired quality factors.

3. Physiological quality: It is the actual expression of the seed in subsequent generation / multiplication. Seed germination and seed vigour are physiological quality characteristics of seed. Seed viability refers to the liveliness of a seed . Germinability is defined as the ability of a seed to produce a good seedling or the ability of a seed to produce a seedling with normal root and shoot under favorable conditions. Seed should be bold and plump with high germination percentage. Optimum moisture content : on an average 12% for rice , wheat and maize ; 9% for pulses ; and 8% for oilseeds.

4. Pathological and entomological quality: Seed should not be infected with fungi or infested with insect pests as these will reduce the physiological quality of the seed in long term storage.

Importance of quality seed

• Ensures genetic and physical purity of the crops.
• Gives desired plant population.
• Capacity to withstand the adverse conditions.
• Seedlings produced will be more vigorous , fast growing and can resist pest and disease incidence to certain extent.
• Development of root system will be more efficient that aids absorption of nutrients efficiently and result in higher yield.
• Good quality seeds of improved varieties ensure higher yield at least 10-12%.

Making Nepal self-reliant on the quality seed will surely meet the food need with its production, which will lead the country into a path of food self-sufficiency and food security, and a stable economic state. It is expected that high-quality seed can contribute to a 20% increase in output. Thus good quality seeds are often called as seeds of green revolution. Because of the high germination percentage and vigor, an outstanding harvest with a suitable plant population and uniform growth can be raised. The lower the risk of insects, pests, and disease attack, the lower the cost of production. Similarly, utilizing high-quality seeds makes intercultural and management techniques like proper irrigation, weeding, and fertilizer application easier.

A basic input in crop production is high-quality seed. Quality seed reduces the amount of seed required by roughly 25%, allowing farmers to save money and invest in other inputs to increase productivity. Improved seeds have a shorter lifespan than local seeds, which aids in the early harvesting of the previous crop so that the subsequent crop may be sown on time. In a nutshell, quality seed enables farmers to follow a good crop rotation, resulting in increased production throughout the year. Quality seed contributes to agricultural economic stability by providing farmers with the maximum return or yield for the same input as local seed. As a result, it indirectly contributes to the development of the agricultural industry. And when there is economic stability in farming any crop, it immediately contributes to increased production in the country, making the country food self-sufficient.

Conclusion

Hence, increasing the quality of seeds can significantly boost the crop’s yield potential making it one of the most cost effective and efficient agricultural inputs. Also due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have learned that we need to stop thinking about only present but also focus for sustainable future. Preparedness plans within agriculture sector needs to be done by revolutionizing seed sectors . So that people do not have to deal with food shortages, hunger, or a scarcity of cultivable resources. Thus, well-suited strategies should be adopted to meet the seed quality objectives.

Writer: Asmita Regmi (Student, IAAS, Paklihawa)