AERC in collaboration with the National Research Centers for Sorghum, Hyderabad had undertaken multi-locational evaluation of Canadian-developed grain and forage sorghum hybrids. The results of these trials were quite encouraging. Keeping this in view, the AERC has launched a large scale project to find out the adaptability, nutrition value and extension of hybrids on commercial basis in India. With this objective, this organization namely Summit Seeds (India) Limited has been established in Chandigarh being the capital of Punjab and Haryana states, has been kept as its headquarter.

Evaluation of Canadian Cold tolerant Sorghum and pearl millet hybrids insub-tropical India:
Summit Seeds (India) Limited has drawn up a detailed programme for 5 years i.e. 2002-03 to 2006-07.In the year 2002-03, trials on agronomy, nutrition,palatability, milk yield etc. are being conducted at National Dairy Research Institute,(NDRI), Karnal. In addition, more agronomic trials on date ofsowing, fertilizer doses and yield potential would be conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Through Punjab State Seeds Corporation,mini kit trials would be conducted at the farmers’ fields. Exhibitions would be arranged at farmers’ fields where large number of farmers along with the scientists of PAU, officials of the Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry would participate to assess the usefulness of the new varieties of Sorghum and pearl millets. The trials would continue at NDRI Karnal and PAU, Ludhiana during the year 2003-04 also. Punjab State Seeds Corporation would continue laying out field trials and exhibitions during 2002-03 , 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Production and distribution of seeds:
On the basis of experience gained in the first two years, hybrid seed will be produced at Hyderabad through a reputed private organization such asSyngenta International Inc.(India).This organization would be supplied seed of parental lines from Canada and they would be paid charges prevailing in the market for seed production at the farmers’ fields, getting it tested in aseed laboratory for germination and purity analysis and packing. Keeping in view the prevailing market rate of seed @ Rs.20 per kg, the production and distribution plan would be as followed.

Level of Investment:
AERC Inc. through Summit Seeds Inc. Canada would produce female and male seeds of the parental lines of the hybrids in Canada. They would also support the agronomic package development in Canada. The Summit Seeds(India) Ltd. would be involved in local clinical research evaluation foragronomy, crop management, adaptability, proximate analysis, animal nutrition and animal performance at National Dairy Research Institute,Karnal, Haryana and Punjab Agricultural University(PAU), Ludhiana. The extension would be arranged by Punjab State Seeds Corporation and hybrid seeds production would be organized by Summit Seeds (India) Limited through Syngenta International Inc. (India).

Activities of Summit Seeds(India) Ltd.:
The activities of Summit Seeds (India) Ltd. would include
 (a) identifying suitable forage hybrids of Sorghum and Pearl millet developed by  AERC Inc.suitable for Indian conditions
 (b) getting the selected forage hybrids tested at National Dairy Research Institute  Karnal for clinical research evaluation including agronomy, crop management,  proximate analysis etc. and at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana for agronomy  to develop proper package of practices
 (c) getting the hybrids tested on the farmers’ fields through Punjab State Seeds  Corporation
 (d) procuring seeds of parental lines from AERC Inc. and providing the same to  Syngenta International Inc.(India) for the production of hybrid seeds for distribution in  the country and safeguarding intellectual property rights of parental material
 (e) finding out the possibility of AERC’s Sorghum hybrid in neighbouring countries  like Nepal, Afghanistan etc.

Benefits to the farming community in India:
There is large scale scarcity of fodder in the months of November and December in winter and May and June in summer. The Canadian varieties do better under cool conditions. The gains expected by activities of Summit Seeds(India) Ltd. are at several levels.
 (a) At the level of participating individual farmer households in project areas, a rapid  increase in forage production will assure fodder sufficiency, and hence higher farm  incomes.
 (b)Women make major contribution in raising the cattle and milk production.They  also manage the income so generated. Involvement of women farmers groups right  from project initiation will ensure their participation and hence the well being of their  families.
 (c) Long-term increased forage production will limit the necessity to cultivate marginal  lands and contribute to preserving the environment. This will also ensure a healthy  livestock production and productivity.

For More details please contact:
Summit Seeds (India) Limited
Address: No.55,Sector 18-A,
Chandigarh-160018 (India)
Telefax no. : 0091-172-725552
Email :ssbains@mail.com