HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 8: The Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency (ASOCA) has announced a significant milestone in the state’s agricultural sector. The agency reported the highest-ever area registration for the production of foundation and certified seeds of winter paddy (rice) on the SATHI Portal for the 2023-24 season.
Mowsam Hazarika, the director of ASOCA, expressed his delight at this achievement, highlighting that this marks the most substantial area registered for foundation and certified seed production since ASOCA’s establishment.
The endeavour involved collaboration with various agricultural entities, including Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Assam Seeds Corporation Limited (ASCL), 33 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), as well as several private farms and individual growers.
This remarkable feat in seed production follows the introduction of Seed Certification under the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) Portal in Assam on July 4, 2023. The portal is a centralised online system aimed at enhancing seed traceability, authentication, and inventory management. It addresses challenges related to seed production, quality seed identification, and seed certification.
Looking ahead, Assam plans to initiate seed certification for other crops such as mustard, green gram, black gram, and more starting from the next Rabi season.
