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.: Introduction :.

Seed Certification Agency (SCA) is the only authorized body for quality control of all kinds of seeds in our country. The Seed Certification Agency was established in 1974 under Cereal Seed project as per provision of First Five Years plan (1973-78). he responsibility of this organization was limited only with the seeds produced by the public sector till Third Five Years Plan (1985- 90). In the Fourth Five Years Plan (1990- 95) its working jurisdiction was extended also to seed testing and certification of the seeds produced by Public, private and NGO sector.

Seed Certification Agency has been performing its role for full seed certification of four notified crops. (Rice, Wheat, Jute and Potato). The Agency certify and maintain seed quality through Field Inspection, Seed Testing and Variety Testing as per decision of the National Seed Board (NSB) and regulations Provided by the National Seed Policy, 1993, The Seeds (Amendment) Act, 1997 and Seed Rules 1998.

At present there are three classes of Seeds (Breeder, Foundation and Certified) under the Seed Certification Program inn our country. Besides these, to make adequate quantities of quantity seeds available to the farmers, one more class of seed which is termed as Truthfully Labelled Seed (TLS). This kind of Seeds quality is maintained by SCA through market monitoring system.