Seed Certification Standards and Online Verification
The Seeds Act of 1966 governs seed quality in India, specifying strict genetic purity, physical purity, and minimum germination percentages.
When ordering seeds digitally, inspecting official certification tags verifies seed class and origin.
- Blue tag (Certified seed): Denotes commercial certified seed produced from foundation stock under strict state seed certification agency supervision.
- Green tag (Foundation seed): Denotes progeny of breeder seed, handled under high genetic purity standards.
- Truthful Label (TL) seed: Labeled directly by the producer; examine stated germination percentage, physical purity, and test date.
- Authorized platforms: Procure through the National Seeds Corporation portal (indiaseeds.com), state seed corporations, or verified ONDC channels.
Safe Ordering and Pre-Sowing Best Practices
Reviewing packaging specifications and customer ratings avoids counterfeit or expired seed lots.
Testing a small sample for germination prior to broad-acre field sowing confirms seedling viability.
- Demand a formal GST tax invoice with the seed lot number, variety name, and testing validity date.
- Examine sealed tamper-evident foil packs, ensuring no punctures or moisture exposure occurred during transit.
- Perform a simple rag-doll or Petri dish germination test on 50 to 100 seeds before undertaking large-scale field drilling.
Official source
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National Seeds Corporation ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What should I check before ordering agricultural seeds online?
Check the seed certification tag (Blue or TL), lot number, physical purity percentage, minimum germination rate, and validity test date.
Where can farmers purchase genuine certified seeds online in India?
Farmers can purchase through the National Seeds Corporation website (indiaseeds.com), state seed corporation web stores, or authorized agri portals.
What is the difference between Certified seed and Truthful Label seed?
Certified seed is inspected and certified by an official state seed certification agency (Blue tag), while Truthful Label seed is self-certified by the manufacturer.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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