Seed Village Program: A Practical Approach for Combating Malnutrition and Nutritional Security in an Arid Zone

Despite implementation of the organized seed program, there exists an alarming gap between the demand and supply of quality seeds. The immediate increase in the productivity and production of these crops can be achieved by a higher distribution of quality seeds of high-yielding varieties. In this context, the concept of a seed village is gaining momentum. Bearing the above facts in mind, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Pali, India, introduced the seed village program to selected villages in the year 2018 to 2019. Under this initiative, quality seeds of improved varieties of prominent local crops were distributed by the KVK to the identified farmers in the area as per an annual program. A number of training sessions on seed production technology were also arranged for technology empowerment of the participating farmers in the seed villages, and they were also trained for isolation distance, sowing techniques, seed treatment, off-type plant, and other agronomic practices. The farmers used these quality seeds and undertook their own seed multiplication within the operational area, which showed a considerable spread of improved varieties in nearby villages. For wheat, from an initial start of 10 farmers the variety spread to 8 villages covering 17 ha of area. For barley, the varietal spread was observed in 10 villages covering an area of 20 ha. In the case of chickpea, the variety spread to an area of 19 ha, with mustard the spread included 8 villages covering an area of 30 ha, with green gram the spread included 7 villages covering an area of 15 ha, and in the case of sesame the spread included 9 villages covering an area of 33 ha. Thus, there is vast scope to produce quality seeds in most crops for which the seed village concept is a practical approach and needs to be promoted to facilitate the production and timely distribution of quality seeds of desired varieties at the village level.