Which one of the following best describes the main objective of 'Seed Village Concept'?

1. A

   Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others

   The Seed Village Concept does not tell farmers to shun purchased seed and rely only on unimproved farm-saved seed. That would undermine quality. This option is not the key.

2. B

   Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at appropriate time and affordable cost

   A seed village trains farmers in quality seed production so that locally produced, affordable, timely seed is available to other farmers. That is the official objective. This option is the official key.

3. C

   Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds

   The scheme does not fence entire villages as exclusive certified-seed factories in the rigid sense of this option. The idea is farmer participation in seed production, not a legal monopoly village. This option is therefore wrong.

4. D

   Identifying the entrepreneurs in villages and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies

   Creating village seed companies through entrepreneurs is not the main stated objective of the Seed Village Concept. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (b) involving farmers for training in quality seed production so quality seed is available on time at affordable cost. The Ministry of Agriculture’s seed village idea is a farmer-centred supply of improved seed. It is not autarky in farm-saved seed, not a sealed certified-only village, and not primarily a start-up subsidy for seed firms. Only (b) states the objective.