seed certification procedure and Functions of KSSOCA

2. “Seed certification is a legally sanctioned, scientifically
and systematically designed process to secure,
maintain, multiply and make available to farmers,
seeds of superior plant varieties, so grown to
ensure genetic purity, physical quality, high
germinability and freedom from pest and diseases”
Seed certification?

3. History of Seed Certification
• Exactly where and how the concept of seed certification was originated is
not clear.
• But the credit of seed certification goes to Swedish people.
• In 20th century the newly developed varieties lost their identity due to
genetic contamination and mechanical mixtures.
• To avoid this, agronomist and breeders started visiting the fields of
progressive farmers and educated them to avoid mechanical mixtures and
keep the seed genetically pure.
• This process slowly led to field inspection.
• The farmers and the scientists thought that field inspection could be
useful in maintaining genetic purity of crop varieties.
• But other problems started like to what extent the mechanical mixtures or
genetic contamination should be permitted etc.

4. History of Seed Certification ..
• The farmers and the scientists thought that field inspection could be
useful in maintaining genetic purity of crop varieties.
• But other problems started like to what extent the mechanical mixtures or
genetic contamination should be permitted etc.
• To overcome these problems representatives from USA and Canada met
in Chicago Illinois in 1919 and organized the International Crop
Improvement Association (ICIA).
• The ICIA, which later in 1969 changed its name to Association of Official
Seed Certification Agency (AOSCA), laid the beginning of modern day
seed certification.

5. Purpose of seed certification
To maintain and make available to the farmers, through
certification, high quality seeds and propagating materials of
notified kind and varieties. The seeds are so grown as to
ensure genetic identity and genetic purity.

6. Phases of seed certification or seed
certification procedures
• Verification of seed source
• Receipt and scrutiny of application
• Field inspection
• Post harvest supervision of seed crops
• Seed sampling and testing
• Labelling, tagging, sealing and grant of
certificate.

7. Seed Lot Number
• Assigning Lot No: The lot number will have four parts. Each
part will signify and confirm the following details.
• Seed lot No.-MAY 14- 10- 10 -01
• First part -“Month-Year Code” and it will indicate the
month and year in which concerned seed crop was harvested.
• Second part-“Production location code” and it will indicate
the state or union territory where concerned seed fields
was/were located. The code number for Karnataka state is 10.
• Third part -“Processing plant code” and it will indicate the
seed processing plant where relevant seed lot is processed.
• Fourth part -“Seed producer code” and it will indicate
ultimate serial number of an individual lot.

8. Re-sampling and reprocessing
• When a seed lot does not meet the prescribed seed standards in initial
test, on request of the producer the Seed Certification Officer may take
resample.
• If the difference in germination analyzed and required is within 10, then
straight away re-sampling can be done.
• If it is >10, reprocessing and re-sampling may be done.
• The producer should request the Seed Certification Officer concerned in
writing within 10 days from the receipt of the result.
• No charge is collected for re-sampling.
• When a seed lot fails even after free sampling, reprocessing can be taken
upon special permission from Deputy Director Seed Certification.
• For such reprocessing a fee of Rs.20/- Q and lab charges Rs.10/- Q is
collected.

9. Grow-out test or Control Plot testing
• The objective of grow-out-test is to determine the genetic
purity of a given seed lot of a released cultivar and the extent
to which the submitted sample conforms to the prescribed
standards.
• Grow out tests are conducted for foundation classes I and II of
variety cotton and tomato, hybrid cotton and its parents and
hybrids of redgram, castor, tomato, brinjal, musk-melon, true
potato seed and seedless watermelon.
• Grow out test will be conducted under direct supervision of
the Director of Seed Certification

10. Validity period
• The seed is initially valid for a period of nine months from the date of
testing the samples.
• If the seed is not sold within the stipulated period, it can be revalidated
for a period of six months if the seed lot meets the required seed
standards.
• Assistant Director of Seed Certification, SCO will inspect the seed lot.
• He will verify the correctness of the seed lots and ensure whether all the
containers have tags and seals are intact.
• Later samples will be drawn and tested, if the lot conforms to the
prescribed standards the SCO will extend the validity period by six months
by stamping validation in the existing tags duly signed.
• The seed can be revalidated as long as it meets the
prescribed seed standards and for each revalidation.

11. Revocation of certificate
If the certification agency is satisfied that the certificate granted by it has
been obtained by misrepresentation of essential facts, or the holder of the
certificate has failed to comply with the conditions subject to which the
certificate has been issued, can revoke the certificate.
The certificate can be revoked only after giving a show cause notice to the
holder of the certificate.
Appeal against seed certification agency
If any certified seed grower is not satisfied by the decision taken by
the seed certification agency (in rejecting the seed plot), he can
make an appeal to the appellate authority specified by the state
government. The appeal should be made within 30 days from
receiving the rejection letter.

12. Who will certify the seeds in
Karnataka State?
• The seed, which is being certified by seed certification agency, is called
as certified seed.
• The certification agency is a separate organization meant for certifying
the quality of the seed and it has nothing to do with seed production.
• The seed certification agency maintains certain strict standards before
issuing the certification tag or label.
• Whereas the certified seed has to maintain both field and seed
standards and if the seed lot meets both the field and seed standards
then only the certification tag or label is issued.
• The certification agencies are registered as autonomous bodies under
the Societies Registration Act.

13. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರನಜ್ಯ ಬೀಜ್ ಮತ್ತು ಸನವಯವ ಪ್ರಮನಣನ ಸಂಸಥೆ
KARNATAKA STATE SEED AND ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
AGENCY
• In Karnataka, Karnataka State Seed Certification Agency (KSSCA) is responsible
for seed certification.
• It was started in the year 1974.
• The KSSCA make field inspections and conduct seed test required for
certification.
• KSCCA head office located at Hebbal, Bengaluru.
• It has 3 zonal offices (Bengaluru, Dharwad & Raichur)
• 12 divisional offices (Bengaluru, Mysuru, Davanagere, Haveri, Gadag,
Dharwad, Ballari, Koppal, Raichur, Kalburgi, Vijayapur & Bagalkot).
• 40 SCO centers
• 3 Seed Testing laboratories (Bengaluru, Dharwad & Raichur) and
• 2 Grow-out Test (GOT) centres (Anekal taluka & Dharwad).
• It has been re-named as Karnataka State Seed and Oragnic Certification
Agency (KSSOCA) in 2013 (04.01.2013).
• Presently 24 SSCA’s are functioning in our country.

14. Network of the
Karnataka State Seed
and Organic
Certification Agency
(KSSOCA)

15. Functions of KSSOCA
• They screen the application form of seed growers for seed certification
and decide on their fitness.
• Check and verify appropriate source of seed used for seed production
under certification.
• Carryout field inspection.
• Conduct Grow-out test (GOT).
• Seed certification.
• Guide seed growers on production, processing and distribution of seeds.
• Conduct short term courses on seed production for seed growers.
Participate in other activities help to the seed industry development.
• Each state has seed certification board which supervises the activity of
SSCA.

16. Service Charges (2020-21) of KSSOCA
Item (Rs.0000.00/-)
Registration as seed grower (per season in one village) 35.00
Inspection of 0.4 hectare crop area and part thereof
a. Hybrids and parents
b. Cross-pollinated and often cross-pollinated crops (including
jute and all vegetable crops)
c. Self pollinated crops (Except jute and vegetable crops)
d. Hybrid cotton and parents
250.00
200.00
145.00
500.00
Supervision of processing of seed (per quintal and part thereof of cleaned seed)
a. Hybrids and parents (except cotton)
b. Non-hybrids
30.00
25.00
Sampling supervision charges for Hybrid cotton and parents (per lot) 100.00
Testing of sample:
a. Full test (i.e., germination, purity and moisture)
b. Germination test
c. Physical purity test
d. Moisture test
150.00
120.00
50.00
30.00
Courier charges (per sample) 50.00
Supervision of reprocessing / re-cleaning of seed (per quintal & part thereof)
a. Hybrid cotton and parents.
b. Others
40.00
18.00
Supervision of repacking of seed (per quintal & part thereof)
a. Hybrid cotton
b. Parental seeds of hybrid cotton
c. Others
150.00
300.00
12.00
Extension of validity of certificate
a. Hybrid cotton and parents
b. Others
c. Late fee for delayed validation (per lot)
40.00
40.00
120.00
Supervision of delinting of Cotton seeds (per quintal & part thereof)
a. Hybrid Cotton and Parent 100.00
a. Non Hybrids 10.00
Supervision of change of packing from one seed producer to
another seed producer (per quintal and part thereof)
50.00
Supervision of Seed Certification work taken up at places other
than seed processing units (per quintal and part thereof) at each
location
6.00
Grow-out-Test (per lot) charges
a. Hybrid Cotton and Parents 600.00
a. Other Hybrid and Parents 600.00
a. Varieties 300.00

17. Spot sampling and certification of groundnut (per quintal and part thereof) 10.00
Spot sorting & shelling of Maize cobs (per quintal or bag of seed not exceeding one
quintal)
10.00
Spot Sealing charges for movement of seeds from one division to another division
(per quintal or bag of seed not exceeding one quintal)
10.00
Decorticating of Groundnut (per quintal & part thereof) 25.00
Spot grading and certification of potato (per quintal and part thereof) 04.00
Cost of FORM No.1 (in triplicate) 10.00
Cost of Seed Certification tags (per 100) 400.00
Cost of application forms for registration and renewal of registration as Seed
Processing Unit
10.00
Recognition, registration & allotment of seed processing unit number (per year) 5000.00
Annual Renewal fee for Seed Processing Unit 3000.00
Late Renewal fee for Seed Processing Unit (one month after expiry) 1000.00
Annual Registration/Renewal fee for Seed Producing Organization 2000.00
Issue of Duplicate copy of Seed Certification Records 05.00
Cost of Seed Sample Bag (per Bag) 25.00
Cost of Polythene Cover (per Cover) 05.00