New Delhi: The Indian seeds industry needs the right push as poor monsoons this year have once again highlighted the need for hybrids that will increase farm productivity and profitability. Farmers' suicides in the past few years have also brought this need to the fore.

Commenting on this need, while applauding the Indian seed industry for achieving self-sufficiency in quality seed production, Minister of State for Agriculture, Government of India, Mr Harish Rawat recently said there is a need for production and distribution of hybrids as these have the potential to increase farm productivity and profitability.

He added that focus is needed on fodder crops, green manure and minor millets. According to the minister, these areas have not drawn adequate attention so far.

Mr Rawat made this comment at a function to inaugurate the golden jubilee year of the National Seeds Corporation (NSC) on August16, 2012.

Highlighting the role played by the corporation in bringing the green revolution, the minister said, "In the last fifty years, NSC has emerged as the link between plant research and farmers. In the year 1966-67, NSC played a pivotal role in bringing Green Revolution in the country by undertaking large-scale production of paddy seeds Taichung native-1 and handling the import of 18,000 tonnes of dwarf Mexican wheat seed and monitoring the performance of these seeds with states for success and bringing food security in the nation."