Kt's writing blog: Seed Certification System in Nepal

Seed certification is the legal process to maintain the high quality seed and make its availability for the distribution. The process was started first in wheat in Nepal. Seed Act (1988) has been enacted for the system.

The system includes the maintenance of growing of new varieties with its multiplication. The varieties to be grown are to be subsequently produced with their quality assurance. Their supply is also checked.

The basic steps in this include:

Thoroughly checking of the seed producing bodies,

Land, location of the seed producing areas are checked,

Source and class of the seeds are also checked,

Field inspection of the seed crops, and the agricultural practices followed are also observed,

Seed sampling for inspection and the tests of their quality is also done,

bagging, tagging, sealing and grant of certification tags are followed later,

Classes of seed:

breeder's seed

foundation seed

certified seed (I)

certified seed (II)

Source seed (SS)

Truthful seed

The main responsible seed certifying body is Seed Quality Control Center (SQCC), MoAD. Regional Seed testing labs. also work on their certification procedures.

The general seed certification standards, field standards has to be followed. The minimum number of field inspection in required growth stages of the specified crop species are done. The minimum isolation meters are checked according to the crop varieties. Seed standard of the crop also differs.

Procedures: