Good seed is basic in any agricultural development programme. A supply of good quality seed forms an effective means of improving crop production. Even in the absence of new and better varieties, adequate supply of reliable seed of existing varieties would have favourable effect. All plant breeding efforts in evolving a new and better variety can be said to have born fruit only if the good seed reach the former through a reliable seed distribution system so that he is able to use them effectively to produce more.
Organised seed industry in In inda is young and oil- seed crops are yet to get a fair share of the atention of this industry. The reasons are many but the often quoted one is that there are no spectacular high yielding varieties in oil-seeds as in the case of cereals. Once we recognise that good seed are of great importance in agriculture, it is necessary and logical to attach equal importance to the production of high quality seed and its distribution to the farmer. Many countries have regulations or laws aimed at promoting the production of high quality seed and its effecient distribution. So far as India is concerned, these laws and regulations. Should not be so regourous as to stifle the infant seed industry of the country. The structure of the seed industry and the legislation governing it must be realistic taking into account the present state of agriculture in the country. In the matter of production of high quality seed of the various oil seed crops, the country is yet to make a serious beginning.
