India has made significant advancements in agriculture in the last five-six decades, in which the role of the seed sector has been substantial. A superior quality seed increases productivity per unit area and helps produce uniform crops without any admixtures, which is important for obtaining high prices on the market. The majority of the population in Eastern Uttar Pradesh is engaged in agriculture, and it employs a significant share in the workforce and income of the population. The present study was taken with the objectives to study the country’s seed scenario with special emphasis on Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The study is based on secondary data and information collected from various sources. Three generation system of seed multiplication is followed in India. Total quality seed availability in India during 2018-19 was 398.88 lakh quintals. The share of the public and private sector in total seed quantity was 43:57. The data reveals that the increase in quality seed availability has a huge bearing on food grain production. Analysis of Seed replacement rate reflects the incremental trend in nationwide SRR in major crops and is due to combined efforts of varied seed stakeholders and adept policy backing. Eastern Uttar Pradesh has an area of about 8.88 million ha, which is around 35.5 percent of the total geographical area of Uttar Pradesh. The total population of Eastern Uttar Pradesh is around 8.25 crores which is 41.67 percent of the state population. The top five crops i.e., wheat, paddy, maize, lentil, and pigeon pea, occupied around 86 percent of the gross cropped area in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The cropping intensity and irrigation intensity of Eastern Uttar Pradesh are 157.99 and 150.74, respectively. The total certified, foundation, and breeder seed requirement of Eastern Uttar Pradesh is around 5747155 quintals, 162369 quintals, and 5296 quintals, respectively. In total, breeder seed requirement around 97 percent of requirement comes from four crops, namely wheat, paddy, gram and pea. The average annual breeder seed production of major crops under NARES was 1599.15 quintals against indent of 664.22 quintals. The average annual production of all classes of seed by NARES Institute was 17310.71 quintal in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Eastern Uttar Pradesh produces sufficient quantity of breeder seed as per total requirement on the basis of acreage under paddy, Pigeon pea, and Rapeseed & Mustard. The seed production, availability, and supply scenario in Eastern Uttar Pradesh can be improved by strengthening participatory seed production technology, seed village scheme, and seed production under the Public-Private-Farmers partnership. There is also a need to follow the general system of seed multiplication from breeder seed to certified seed. Reduction in cost of seed production and availability of trained manpower in seed production, storage, and processing will further improve seed scenario in the area.

Highlights

• The share of the public and private sector in the availability of total seed quantity was 43:57 in India.
• The top five crops i.e. wheat, paddy, maize, lentil, and pigeon pea occupied around 86 percent of the gross cropped area in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• The cropping intensity and irrigation intensity of Eastern Uttar Pradesh are 157.99 and 150.74, respectively.
• The total certified, foundation, and breeder seed requirement of Eastern Uttar Pradesh is around 5747155 quintal, 162369 quintals, and 5296 quintals, respectively.