Seed Policy for the Development of Seed Industry.

The Seed Policy provides for directives aimed at increasing the production of seeds, improving their quality and availability to both private and public parties (farmers included) and effectively raise the productivity, the income they generate and the exportation. The Policy is subdivided in several sections: 1-Objectives and Specific Objectives of the Seed Policy (the development and breeding of improved crop varieties, their timely supply to farmers, the economic and financial activities involved in supporting their cultivation and importation for research purposes); 2- Strategy for Seed Development; 3- Development and Promotion of Improved Seed Varieties (dealing mostly with technologies applied to seed varieties); 4- Approval and Registration of Varieties (detailed registration procedures for all seed varieties, being newly or locally developed or imported); 5- Variety Release; 6- Maintenance Breeding; 7- Seed Multiplication; 8- Import of Seeds (restrictions on seed importation, with the sole exception of quarantine safeguarding, shall be annulled and seeds imported for sale, adaptability testing and for introducing high quality seeds and planting materials shall be permitted); 9- Seed Regulations, includes: Controlled crops,(notification for certain crop varieties); Registration of Varieties (in the National Seed Board);Registration of Seed Dealers ( It applies to any individual or Company or institution importing, developing ,packaging and labeling seeds); Labeling of Seeds (requirements for packaging and labeling seeds); Seed certification (High Quality Certification for end-users); Seed Quality Control (adhering to specific standards); Seed Security (eventual supply of high quality seeds in areas where a natural disaster occurs). The remaining sections deal with the Authorities responsible for the various activities and functions, the financial aspects as per marketing, incentives, facilities and equipment, research programs on seed development.