Rohit Kumar
Sri Vijaya Puram, 22 March 2025
The Union Territory (UT) Seed Sub-Committee for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops convened a crucial meeting on March 20, 2025, under the chairmanship of Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture), A&N Administration, at the Secretariat. The meeting focused on considering the release of 18 new varieties of crops developed by the Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) for cultivation in the islands.
The varieties proposed for consideration include:
- Rice: 6 varieties
- Green Gram: 5 varieties
- Black Gram: 2 varieties
- Brinjal: 2 varieties
- Malabar Tamarind: 2 varieties
- Indian Bay Leaf: 1 variety
The introduction of these new varieties aims to enhance agricultural productivity across the islands, with specific traits such as disease resistance, higher yield, and adaptability to local conditions. The committee emphasized that these improvements could significantly benefit local farmers by increasing output and reducing losses due to pests and diseases.
Dr. Dilip Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Commissioner (Seeds-QC) and Co-convenor of the UT Seed Sub-Committee, joined the meeting in hybrid mode. He highlighted concerns about the heavy reliance of local farmers on seeds procured from the mainland, emphasizing the need to promote locally produced seeds. Dr. Srivastava stressed that locally sourced seeds would not only reduce dependency on imports but also ensure better accessibility and availability for island farmers.
He also raised concerns regarding the availability of breeder seeds, which are essential for producing high-quality seeds. Ensuring a steady supply of breeder seeds would be critical in sustaining the production of superior seed varieties locally.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the proposal to release the Indian Bay Leaf variety, Dweep Tej-1. If approved, Dweep Tej-1 will become the first officially recognized variety of Indian Bay Leaf in the UT, marking a milestone in its cultivation. The Indian Bay Leaf, widely used in culinary preparations and valued for its medicinal properties, enjoys high local demand, especially from the hospitality industry.
Ms. Pallavi Sarkar underscored the export potential of Malabar Tamarind and Indian Bay Leaf varieties. If successfully cultivated and introduced on a large scale, these varieties could open avenues for significant export opportunities, boosting the income of local farmers and contributing to the UT’s economy. Their unique characteristics and rising demand in domestic and international markets position them as valuable export commodities.
The meeting witnessed active participation from members of the Seed Committee, seed producers, traders, and farmers. Their insights and suggestions added value to the discussion, ensuring that the proposed varieties align with the practical requirements of the farming community in the islands.
With the potential approval of these new varieties, the UT is set to witness a transformative phase in its agricultural sector, paving the way for increased self-reliance, higher productivity, and new export opportunities. (Story Based on PR)