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(tfree report september) role of seed quality on food security |
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by Dolma Diki Sherpa | 20-10-2022 10:13 0 |
Seed is a key input for improving crop production and productivity. Increasing the quality of seeds can increase the yield potential of the crop by significant folds and thus, is one of the most economical and efficient inputs to agricultural development. The availability of seed supported by other input and service are importance for increased crop yield and agricultural production to ensure food security. Increasing the quality of seeds can increase the yield potential of the crop by significant folds. Good quality seed is superior to other standard seed in characteristics such as genetic purity, which include high and even germination rates, uniform growth pattern, physiological purity illustrated by viability and vigour and good health that ensures seeds are free from seedborne diseases and disorders. Food security, defined as a country¡¯s ability to meet the caloric and nutritional needs of its citizens, is a prerequisite for political stability and economic health. Food insecurity is on the rise globally, according to the recently released Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2020 report. Genetic factors that influence quality include genetic makeup and age and nutritional status of the mother plant. Environmental features such as temperature, water status, photoperiod and light quality, soil nutrition at seed setting and development, and physical factors such as injury and damage during planting, establishment, and storage as well as moisture and temperature during storage contribute to a large extent to seed quality. There are many advantages to using good quality seeds in agriculture, the utmost advantage to obtain high return per unit area. The other benefits include the ability of adapting to extreme growth and climatic conditions, higher degree of resistance to pests, diseases, and weeds, uniformity in plant growth, and maturation allowing easy harvesting and postharvest handling and high market value. Quality seeds and young plants also contribute to the efficient use of resources by local farmers lead to safer and healthier food, provide job opportunities and dealing with effects of climate change. In context of Nepal the agricultural product obtained from farming should be enough to obtain food self sufficiency for the local farmers having a limited amount of land areas with limited input for production. They show good response of other agricultural inputs, thus brought a revolution in agriculture. Quality seed reduce the amount of seed requirement by about 25% which will make the farmers to save their money and invest in other inputs to raise production. Seed priming, seed coating, and artificial seed development, classical and modern breeding, and gene technology are the process of seed quality enhancement. Famers do not have access to good quality seeds due to different reasons, including insuffi cient seed production, the unavailability of quality-checked seeds, inefficient distribution, lack of seed certifi cation methods, and higher seed prices. There is direct relation between food security and seed security so seed insecurity undermines subsequent production. They should be provided with adequate amount of quality seeds for increasing yield and ultimately by boosting production to ensure food security in the country. Timely availability of good seeds at reasonable price ensures good yield and profit to farmers. |
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2 Comments
Hi, Dolma Diki Sherpa!
This is your mentor, Yoon.
It is very interesting to know that seed quality affects the yield of the crop. I especially like the part where you explained the concept from the perspective of Nepal.
Great job on writing the free report.
I am looking forward to reading your following report!
Posted 21-10-2022 17:55
Hello, this is your mentor Minkyung.
This was a very interesting topic! Thanks to your report, I could understand how seed quality is important in food security.
If you cited from several sites, reports, etc., then please write the sources down as references at the end of your report!
Thank you for your hard work, and good luck writing this month's report, too :)
Posted 21-10-2022 02:44