Background: Formal seed is the most critical input to enhance the productivity of fodder and green manure crops. Better accessibility of formal seeds of fodder and green manure can ensure twin effects- productivity and sustainability. The present study throws the light in respect of the supply-demand gap of formal seeds, causes and seed replacement rates of fodder and green manure crops.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was based on a survey conducted on a well-structured schedule during 2022 and 2023. Three stages of random sampling were adopted to select the Blocks, Villages and farmers. One bock with 06 villages and 60 farmers (10 farmers from each village) was selected randomly from each district for the study. So that study was comprised of a total of 05 blocks, 30 Villages and 300 farmers. 
 
Result: The study found that there was a gap in the supply-demand of formal seeds of fodder and green manure crops. The study further reported an inverse relationship between farm size and use of the formal seeds for fodder and green manure crops. The seed replacement rate (SRR) was less for all categories of farms. Farm size is negatively associated with seed replacement rate. Low SRR signifying the need to strengthen the seed supply systems. It was further observed the seeds from the informal sector were given less preference by formers, in terms of quality, over to formal seeds provided by public and private sectors. Despite this, the reason for the gap was that the formal seeds belonging to the public sector were not available in proper time and quantity. The availability of seeds of desired varieties through the public sector was also an issue of concern. Whereas, access to formal seeds belonging to the private sector was limited due to higher prices in comparison to the farmers&rsquo; saved seeds and formal seeds of the public sector causing a supply-demand gap for the fodder and green manure crops.

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Supply-demand Gap of Formal Seeds for Fodder and Green Manure Crops in the Eastern Plain Zone of U.P.

<div>Background: Seed is the starting point of agriculture and dictates ultimate productivity of other inputs. Quality seed of improved varieties is an important basic unit for enhancing productivity of any crop species. As the quality deteriorates during subsequent generations, the old must be replaced with fresh lots of quality seeds. The present study was an attempt to analyze the source, SRR and management of wheat seed in Amritsar district of Punjab. 
 
Methods: The current study was conducted on primary data collected from 120 farmers during the agricultural year 2019-20. The data was analyzed using simple tabular analysis and other suitable statistical techniques. 
 
Result: The study found that the most preferred source of seed was institutional sources from which 45.83 per cent of the seed was procured from these agencies. The second most preferred source was self-retained by the farmers as 43.70 per cent farmer&rsquo;s preferred self-retained seeds. Only small farmers and medium farmers procured wheat seed from fellow farmers, relatives and friends. This source was preferred by small and medium farmers as seed is available free of cost and no immediate cash payment was charged by fellow farmers or relatives. Seed replacement rate was found to be 49.94 per cent for wheat crop in Amritsar district of Punjab. The study found that minimum attention was paid at post storage of wheat seed (2.50 per cent) whereas maximum attention was paid in the field (48.83 per cent) during wheat seed production.&nbsp;The main determinants of purity and quality of wheat seed were past experience of the farmer, repute of the institution, tag of certification agency and advice of known person. Seed replacement rate (SSR) for wheat was less for small farmers in the study area which can be increased by giving incentives to farmers for using certified seeds. These incentives can be in the form of higher price of produce to the small farmers. Maximum farmers used self-retained seed foe the next season and they paid minimum attention to the storage of seed which lead to deterioration in the quality of seed. Farmers should be educated to use scientific methods in the storage of seeds.</div>

Supply-demand Gap of Formal Seeds for Fodder and Green Manure Crops in the Eastern Plain Zone of U.P.

​Seed Replacement Rate and Management of Wheat Seed in Amritsar District of Punjab

Seed Replacement Rate and Management of Wheat Seed in Amritsar District of Punjab