Centre notifies 201 crop seed varieties, hybrids; new options for Punjab, Haryana farmers

Panchkula, Oct 9 (UNI) The Centre has notified 201 crop seed varieties and hybrids for agricultural sale in specified states and regions, including several varieties of wheat, basmati rice, mustard, maize, sugarcane and cotton recommended for Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring states, bringing them under the statutory seed quality regulation framework. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through a notification dated October 8, has declared the varieties under Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, after consultation with the concerned committee. The notification covers 201 entries spanning rice, wheat, barley, maize, millets, pulses, oilseeds, fodder crops, sugarcane and cotton. It…