Quality seed is a major input and is a primary requisite for successful production of food grain and vegetable crops. The good quality seed alone can increase the yield of crop by 20-30 % and contribute significantly to the efficiency of other inputs, fertilizers and irrigation. The availability of suitable agro-climatic conditions ranging from Tropical to Temperate, Nepal has high potential to grow wide varieties of vegetable and other seed crops.

According to nature and precaution with which seed are produced, seed are classified as – Nucleus seed, Breeder seed, Foundation seed, Certified seed(1st generation), Certified seed(2nd generation), Improved seed. Informal and Formal seed system both are followed in Nepal. In Informal seed system, seeds are produced and preserved by farmers themselves for subsequent planting and are exchanged within them. In Formal seed system, producing, processing and distribution of registered varieties in demand with the quality control mechanism. Here, breeder seeds are produced by NARC and other sources seed from station under Department of Agriculture, National seed cooperation, private seed companies, NGOS. Formal seed system can function as a leader in spreading new varieties(Seed Vision, 2013-2025). Only 8% of seed is supplied from Formal sector whereas other through Farm saved seed and local exchange (SQCC 2011).

The organized seed production program was first initiated in 1973 in farmers field in Nepal which had been started with the multiplication of wheat seed. Now, Sustainable Seed Multiplication Programme (SSMP) has been launched in all district of  Nepal, in which seed production is done by forming farmers group under community level. District Agriculture Development Office (DADO) provides the technical support – group formation, training to farmers, arrangement of quality seeds and management of fund as well as takes the responsibility of field inspection and monitoring. In this program, minimum seed multiplication area of a farmer in each group should be  5 ropani in hilly areas and 1 hectare in terai and inner terai areas. Other many NGOs and INGOs are involved in seed multiplication and distribution process in order to enhance crop production and food security in Nepal.

Total seed requirement of major crops including paddy, wheat, maize, millet, lentil, rapeseed, vegetables and other is estimated 212407.8 mt annually but Total seed supply and seed replacement rate in different years seem very low (SQCC, 2010). In order to achieve food production target, a major effort is required to increase the seed replacement rate of various crops.  Only 50% of vegetable seed demand is met by domestic production over last decade (KUBK, 2015). Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan, kavre district with diverse agro-climate has a great opportunity to increase domestic and export markets of vegetable seeds. The current seed storage capacity is about 11,000 mt, which meets only half of current seed storage requirement excluding potatoes (seed vision, 2013-2025).

Constraint in seed production :

1.Lack of supply of source seed in adequate quantity is hampering the commercialisation of new improved varieties in the country.

2.Small and fragmented land holding for seed production.

3.Lack of storage facilities at different levels of marketing channels.

4.Low participation of private sector in seed multiplication.

5.High competition with imported seeds and illegal entry of unregistered seed across border.

6.Poor performance of varieties (Yield, Quality and Adaptability.

7.Lack of technicians professionally trained in seed production technologies.

8.Lack of information regarding actual cost of production and profitability in seed business.

9.Lack of coordination between government sectors for the effective marketing at various levels.

10.Weak extension of seed technologies from research field to farmers field.

11.Weak seed replacement rate.

12.Due to inadequate seed use education, resource allocation and human resource development , use of good quality seed at the farm level is reduced.

Standardization of breeding techniques, use of diverse agro-ecological condition, employing skilled human resource and infrastructure, integration of formal and informal seed system, integration of different seed production and distribution sectors, high demand of quality seed in domestic market and export opportunity, ensuring food security and reducing poverty are the areas of opportunities for the seed production development in Nepal. Seed Vision, 2013-2025 is with the mission to produce and manage the supply of quality seeds to all farmers through a sustainable and competitive seed system.