The Indian government has recently launched a new programme called the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds.
o Strengthening research: Develop new high-yielding seeds.
o Improving resistance: Focus on creating seeds resistant to pests and climate stress.
o Commercial availability: Make these seeds easily accessible to farmers.
o Monoculture risks: Widespread use of a few high-yielding varieties may lead to monoculture farming, making crops more vulnerable to diseases and pests.
o Impact on biodiversity: Promotion of high-yielding seeds could cause the decline of traditional and indigenous seed varieties.
o Loss of pollinator diversity: Shifting to uniform seed varieties may reduce support for bees and butterflies.
o Invest in community seed banks and support farmer-led seed conservation.
o Create policies promoting biodiversity-friendly farming practices while advancing high-yielding varieties.