Community Managed Seed System


  • A pilot initiative named “Community Managed Seed Systems” is implemented by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the NGOs and farmers’ groups.
  • The program envisages to decentralise production and distribution of seed production within a cluster of villages integrating Seed Village Program and seed subsidies.
  • It is intended to achieve local self-sufficiency in seeds.
  • The objective is to achieve Mandal level self-sufficiency in seeds distributed by the Department of Agriculture and farmer saved seeds
  • Support diversification of crop systems
  • Popularising varieties
  • Diversification of the seed sources so that the seed market is competitive
  • To establish a relevant and robust seed system with management control in the hands of farmers.
  • Each Mandal is divided into Clusters of Gram Panchayats (say 4 clusters in each Mandal) – one of the Clusters will be the anchor for the Mandala Vittana Kendram
  • Seed production and distribution is taken up within the cluster for all the crops* relevant to the local area.
  • Seed Production Farmers will be encouraged to get registered at mandal level in course of time; this registered legal entity which takes the responsibility of the entire system
  • One AEO will be designated as the Member-Convener for the Cluster Seed Institution and AO will be the member-Convener for the Mandala Seed Institution.
  • Initially an NGO or CBO may be identified as facilitating organisation for the systems to be established.
  • Seed farmers will pay their share capital into the Mandal VittanaKendralu – these will be eventually registered as Seed- FPOs.
  • Each MandalVittanaKendram will have a computer with internet access.
  • Crop, variety and quantity of seeds to be produced within the Cluster will be decided at the Cluster level and an annual agreement will be made with the seed farmers (in an annual meeting in the presence of AO and ADA, MPP and Agrl University). This leads to an annual work plan.
  • Agriculture Department will place the Annual Seed Indent i.e. seed that it requires for subsidy distribution with the VittanaKendram.
  • Seed-Farmer wise targets will be fixed and the Plan for distribution of Foundation Seed/ Stage 1 or Stage 2 seed will be decided.
  • Seed farmers deposit their share of the costs for purchase of foundation seed.
  • Training plan for the seed farmers will also be worked out with dates and resource persons.
  • The Seed Certifying Agency will do certification and takes the responsibility of doing it timely
  • A mobile-app will be developed; the para-certified will take photograph of the field with the farmer, log GPS coordinates with time-stamp and upload it to the server. The seed-certification agency, agriculture department, mandala vittanakendralu etc., can have access to the website where the fields are visible on a google earth map with photographs.
  • The certified seed will be bagged and stamped / tagged.
  • All the nodal VittanaKendram in the Mandal will have mobile seed cleaning/ processing units maintained by them. The cluster kendralu will take them on hire basis when needed.
  • Each vittanakendram will have a drying yard and a storage room (in course of time) and bags required.

1.Subsidy Seed Distribution:

  • Seed distribution will happen at the Cluster VittanaKendralu – and managed by the farmers’ groups with AEO/ AO.
  • The names of eligible farmers will be maintained in the e-database along with copies of their passbooks.
  • Farmers eligible for seed subsidy will pay their share to the Cluster VittanaKendram or directly to the seed farmer.
  • Certified seed will be distributed at the Cluster VittanaKendralu after processing and required documentation will be done.
  • Subsidy will be released to the bank account of the farmer after sowing the crop.

2.Direct Seed Sales:

  • The Mandala Vittana Kendra will also have a counter for sale of seed produced by its seed-farmers.
  • Certified seed produced locally will be sold through the counter.

1.Decentralising and democratising the subsidy seed distribution system.

  • Costs will be low, can make seed available right in time with less hassles.
  • Entire operation of the system and its documentation can be automated with mobile-web based software application.
  • Leaves much time for the Agriculture Department for technical extension support rather than subsidy administration.
  • The system will create stakes for farmers and takes it away from bureaucracy with transparent mechanisms.

2. Aids in diversification of crops with quality seeds available locally

3. Will be a competitor for the private sector – helps in keeping the prices in check.

4. Scientific capacity of larger number of farmers will be built and the institutional capacities of farmers increase.