Krishonnati Yojana – Sub Mission On Seed And Planting Material (SMSP), SMSP Subsidy

The “Sub Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)” is a centrally sponsored scheme under the umbrella of “Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana.” Implemented since 2016-17, the umbrella scheme consolidates 11 agricultural schemes aimed at holistic and scientific development of the agriculture and allied sectors. SMSP specifically focuses on increasing the production of certified and quality seeds, improving the Seed Replacement Rate (SRR), upgrading farm-saved seed quality, and strengthening the seed multiplication chain. It also promotes modern technologies in seed production, processing, and testing, and supports the development and modernization of seed infrastructure.

Objectives

• Increase the production of certified/quality seed.

• Enhance the Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) in key crops such as paddy, gram, groundnut, and cotton.

• Upgrade the quality of farm-saved seeds through participatory seed production, targeting 60,000 villages and producing 100 lakh quintals of seed annually.

• Create and strengthen seed infrastructure facilities in the public sector.

• Encourage seed treatment, particularly for farm-saved seeds.

• Strengthen the seed multiplication chain through public-private assistance.

• Promote varietal replacement by popularizing new seed varieties.

• Adopt new technologies and methodologies in seed production, processing, and testing to meet international standards (Seeds Bill 2004, ISTA, OECD).

• Facilitate seed export by ensuring compliance with global standards and increasing India’s share in international seed trade.

• Support and assist public and private seed-producing organizations and encourage partnerships.

• Ensure seed availability during contingencies.

• Disseminate seed-related information through effective IEC strategies.

• Establish an effective system for the protection of plant varieties and farmers’ rights through PPVFRA.

Components of SMSP

SMSP covers a wide range of interventions, including:

1. Strengthening for Seed Quality Control:

   • Equipment and renovation of seed testing laboratories, including DNA fingerprinting and specialized seed health testing units.

   • Payment of ISTA fees for maintaining international seed testing standards.

2. Strengthening of Grow Out Test (GOT) Facilities:

   • Financial assistance for enhancing GOT farms and establishing greenhouses.

3. Support to Seed Certification Agencies:

   • Assistance for salaries, travel allowances, and office automation for seed certification agencies (funded at a 25:75 Centre:State ratio).

4. Seed Village Programme and Certified Seed Production:

   • Subsidies for the distribution of foundation/certified seeds and training in seed production and post-harvest technology.

5. Seed Processing and Storage Facilities:

   • Assistance for establishing modern seed processing plants and prefabricated seed storage godowns.

6. Transport Subsidy:

   • Reimbursement support for transporting seeds, particularly for movement to North Eastern States.

7. National Seed Reserve:

   • Revolving funds for procurement and maintenance of foundation and certified seeds, along with infrastructure support.

8. Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture:

   • Financial support for setting up or rehabilitating tissue culture units.

9. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the Seed Sector:

   • Credit-linked assistance on a 50:50 Centre:State basis, up to a maximum of ₹50 lakh per beneficiary.

10. Assistance for Boosting Seed Production in the Private Sector:

    • Enhanced credit-linked subsidies (40% in general areas and 50% in hilly/scheduled areas, capped at ₹150 lakhs per project) along with R&D support.

11. Support to Sub-Mission Director and Survey/Studies:

    • Funding for hiring consultants and conducting surveys/studies for effective scheme implementation.

12. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA):

    • Full funding (100% by GOI) for activities under PPVFRA.

Benefits and Financial Assistance

SMSP provides varied financial assistance, with different funding patterns for each intervention:

• Seed Quality Control:

  • Equipment for seed testing laboratories, renovation of laboratories, DNA fingerprinting facilities, specialized seed health testing units, and ISTA fee payments.

• Seed Law Enforcement:

  • Reimbursement of seed sample costs.

• National Seed Research and Training Center Support:

  • Financial assistance for salary, maintenance, and administrative expenditures, along with the development of a centralized seed certification portal.

• Training and Workshops:

  • Financial support for seed-related training programs.

• Support to Seed Certification Agencies:

  • Assistance for staff salaries, travel, and office automation.

• Seed Treatment:

  • Subsidies covering up to 75% of the cost at ₹100 per quintal of seeds.

• Promotion of Seed Export:

  • Assistance for freight charges, seed conditioning units, and upgrading seed testing laboratories.

• R&D and New Varietal Projects:

  • Up to 60% assistance, capped at ₹1.15 crore.

• Strengthening of Seed Farms:

  • Financial assistance for infrastructure improvements (renovation, machinery, storage, irrigation) with detailed cost norms.

• Seed Village and Certified Seed Production:

  • Subsidies for foundation seed distribution, training, seed treatment, and establishing seed processing/storage facilities.

• Seed Processing Plant and Storage:

  • Financial assistance for building and equipping modular seed processing plants and storage godowns.

• Transport Subsidy and National Seed Reserve:

  • Reimbursement for transportation costs and revolving funds for seed procurement and maintenance.

• Biotechnology Applications and PPP in the Seed Sector:

  • Assistance for tissue culture units and credit-linked support for public-private partnerships.

• Boosting Private Sector Seed Production and Support for Surveys:

  • Enhanced subsidies and funding for surveys and consultant hiring.

• PPV&FRA:

  • Full funding for mandated activities under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority.

Eligibility

• The scheme targets small and marginal farmers involved in seed production.

• It is designed for both public and private seed-producing organizations.

• Specific income or production-related eligibility criteria are detailed in the official guidelines.

Application Process

Offline Process:
Bona fide farmers can apply by submitting copies of the required documents to the District Agriculture Officer of the respective district, or to the Agriculture Development Officer of the C&RD Block/Agriculture Circle.

Documents Required

• Copy of Farmer B1 Khasra/Loan Book.

• Aadhaar Number.

• Copy of the Bank Passbook.

• Additional documents as specified in the official guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the funding patterns for seed storage facilities, and what costs are covered?
   Funding covers construction, modernization, material handling, electrification, and ancillary infrastructure with specific rates detailed in the guidelines.

2. What is the funding pattern for R&D and contract research under SMSP?
   Assistance is provided at 60% by GOI, with a cap of ₹1.15 crore; the beneficiary contributes 40%.

3. What assistance is available for seed treatment, and what is the funding pattern?
   Subsidies cover up to 75% of seed treatment costs at a rate of ₹100 per quintal, subject to maximum central limits per agency.

4. What components are included under seed quality control in SMSP?
   This includes support for seed testing laboratories, DNA fingerprinting, specialized seed health testing units, and ISTA fee payments.

5. How does SMSP facilitate international seed trade?
   By upgrading seed testing laboratories to ISTA standards and establishing certification and quality control systems to meet global requirements.

6. What benefits does the National Seed Reserve offer?
   It provides revolving funds for seed procurement, covers maintenance and processing costs, and supports infrastructure for seed storage and handling.

7. What financial support is available for biotechnology in agriculture under SMSP?
   The scheme offers up to ₹2.50 crores for new tissue culture units and up to ₹20 lakh for rehabilitating existing labs.

8. What assistance is available for boosting private sector seed production?
   Enhanced credit-linked subsidies (40% in general, 50% in hilly/scheduled areas) are provided, subject to a cap of ₹150 lakhs per project, along with R&D support.

9. What role does PPV&FRA play under SMSP, and how is it funded?
   PPV&FRA is responsible for protecting plant varieties and farmers’ rights and is fully funded (100% by GOI) for its activities.

10. Who is eligible to benefit from SMSP under the Krishonnati Yojana?
    The scheme targets small and marginal farmers involved in seed production, as well as both public and private seed-producing organizations.

11. What is the application process for farmers to access SMSP benefits?
    Farmers must apply offline through the District Agriculture Officer or Agriculture Development Officer, submitting the necessary documents and forms.

12. What documents are needed for farmers to apply for SMSP benefits?
    Key documents include a copy of the farmer B1 Khasra/Loan Book, Aadhaar, bank passbook, and any additional documentation as per official guidelines.

13. Are there any income or production-related eligibility criteria for SMSP benefits?
    While specific criteria are outlined in the guidelines, the scheme primarily targets small and marginal farmers for participatory seed production and quality enhancement.

Sources and References

• Guidelines