New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) The government on Wednesday said it has adequate seed stock available for the upcoming Kharif season amid the West Asia crisis that has hampered global supply chains.

Additional Secretary, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, said during the inter-ministerial briefing that the country has a self-reliant seed system backed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the public sector, in addition to the private sector.

Moreover, a robust pipeline with adequate seed and breeding materials at all stages (certified, foundation, hybrid seeds) is also present in order to cater to any possible disruptions.

The price situation is also being monitored for the wholesale prices for all agro commodities, said Dwivedi, adding that the prices of the top crops, tomato, onion, and potato, are in the range and showing improvement, with an improving trend at the wholesale level.

For Kharif Season 2026, the government reported a comfortable seed availability situation with a surplus of around 19.29 lakh quintals.

The country’s agriculture sector requires 166.46 lakh quintals, while the country has 185.74 lakh quintals available.

In addition, Rabi season seed inputs are also in place.

The impact on farmers and their requirement for fertiliser for the Kharif season has already been assessed by the government. The measures taken in the last few years to maintain adequate stocks of fertilisers will ensure timely availability and food security.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently emphasised the need to ensure an equitable and uninterrupted supply of fertilisers and directed officials to expedite the work on ‘Farmer IDs’ to make the distribution system transparent. He also said that he would soon meet Chief Ministers and state Agriculture Ministers to coordinate the effort.

Further, instructions were issued to take strict action against black marketing and hoarding fertilisers and seeds to profit from the global crisis, the minister said. Chouhan said that state governments will also be encouraged to take stringent measures in this direction.

The meeting with officials reviewed the availability of agro-chemicals and the essential gases required for drying seed, while the minister emphasised adequate packaging materials, particularly for milk and other agricultural products, amidst the global crisis. He also issued directives to coordinate with the Ministry of Petroleum and other relevant departments to ensure supplies.

–IANS

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