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Punjab’s Ban on Hybrid Paddy Seeds
High Cost & Substandard Performance Lead to Banning Hybrid Paddy Seeds
Context: The Punjab government has banned the sale of hybrid paddy seeds (non-Basmati rice), citing concerns over their high cost and substandard performance during the milling process.
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- According to the state government, these seeds result in a higher percentage of broken rice compared to the standards laid out by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), thereby reducing the market value of farmers’ produce.
- However, the ban has drawn criticism from farmers and agricultural experts, many of whom argue that hybrid seeds offer superior yield and water-saving benefits and that the real problem lies elsewhere.
Why Do Farmers in Punjab Prefer Hybrid Paddy Seeds?
- Punjab currently has around eight hybrid paddy varieties officially recommended for cultivation.
- These seeds are supplied by leading private seed companies such as Savannah, VNR, Corteva, and Bayer, and include popular varieties like Sava 127, Sava 134, Sava 7501, 27P22, and VNR 203.
- Farmers prefer these hybrid seeds for their shorter growth cycles, higher productivity, and reduced stubble generation.
- Shorter growth duration (around 125–130 days), leading to water conservation and faster maturity.
- Higher yields: Farmers report an increase in yield by 5–6 quintals per acre compared to traditional varieties, with yields ranging from 35–40 quintals per acre.
- Increased income: Farmers earn an additional Rs 13,000 to Rs 14,000 per acre with hybrid varieties.
- Reduced stubble: Hybrid varieties produce less stubble, which is beneficial for environmental reasons.
Why Has the Government Imposed a Ban?
- The Milling Issue: During the 2024–25 Kharif marketing season, millers across Punjab refused to accept hybrid rice varieties, citing that their out turn ratio (OTR) — the efficiency of converting paddy into white rice — was below the FCI’s prescribed minimum of 67%. Millers claimed that the OTR for hybrid rice stood between 60% and 63%, resulting in financial losses for them.
- Historical Context: In 2019, Punjab imposed a similar ban on hybrid paddy seeds, but the decision was reversed to allow the sale of centrally notified hybrid varieties. The current ban raises questions about whether notified and approved hybrid seeds are included in the restriction.
Do Hybrid Paddy Seeds Lead to Lower Milling Efficiency?
- Many experts dispute the millers’ claims, arguing that low OTR is not due to the seeds themselves but is a consequence of harvest timing and post-harvest handling. According to them, optimal OTR is achieved when:
- Paddy is harvested at 22–23% moisture
- Sun-dried to 16–17% moisture for procurement
- Milled at 13–14% moisture
- Delays in drying and procurement, often caused by logistical challenges, lead to excessive breakage and lower OTR. Experts also point out that many rice mills in Punjab operate with outdated technology, contributing further to inefficiencies.
- Experts recommend that instead of banning seeds outright, the government should crack down on unscrupulous dealers who sell seeds at exorbitant prices and ensure farmers get access to genuine, certified hybrids.
What Does the Law Say About the Ban?
- Conflict with National Laws: Legal experts argue that Punjab’s blanket ban on hybrid seeds, including those notified by the Centre, contravenes national legislation, specifically the Seed Act, 1966, and the Seed Control Order, 1983 — both of which are under central jurisdiction.
- “Under Sections 6 and 7 of the Seed Act, once a variety is notified by the Centre, including hybrids, it becomes a legally approved seed, and states cannot arbitrarily prohibit its sale.
- The role of state governments is limited to ensuring seed quality, purity, and germination standards through certification and inspections — not issuing bans on centrally approved seeds.
