Bhopal: Concrete efforts are afoot to ensure that farmers of Ujjain division get quality seeds with guarantee of maximum germination. On the initiative of Ujjain divisional Commissioner Ravindra Pastor, 617 seed producing societies have been constituted in the division so far. These societies are providing quality seeds to farmers as per their demand. The Ujjain Commissioner took this initiative when number of seed societies was just 157 in the division. Constitution of seed societies in the district is a major step towards making agriculture a profitable occupation.
Efforts are being made to ensure that seed societies work with their 100 percent capacity. Not only these societies supply quality seeds to farmers, but also purchase the same from them. Societies produce quality seeds by assessing requirement of farmers during Rabi and Kharif seasons. Madhya Pradesh Seed Federation acquires seeds in necessary quantities from Agriculture Research Centres of country and state and then Agriculture Department intimates farmers about it. Seed societies collect seeds at prescribed places and then distribute them to farmers. Farmers are also given subsidy on seeds prescribed by the state government.
Ujjain district has 259 seed societies. Of these, 214 have been registered in recent times. In Mandsaur district, 82 societies have been constituted and got registered recently, Neemuch 56, Ratlam 33, Dewas 103, Shajapur 61 and 19 societies have been constituted and got registered in Agar-Malwa district. The farmers seed societies have 33 percent women members. Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Department staff is making constant efforts are being made to link maximum number of farmers with seed societies. Farmers associated with societies will get quality seeds. They would not have to face blackmarketing for getting certified seeds.