Global body puts India on high alert over ‘seed terrorism’ scare

HYDERABAD: The international Seed Testing Agency (ISTA) has put India on high alert against suspected “seed terrorism” after unsolicited mail packages containing seeds were delivered to homes in the US, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. Although no such deliveries have been received in India, the agency warned that the seeds may have the capacity to harm food production.
ISTA vice-president K Keshavulu told TOI that these seeds delivered without being ordered by the recipients, may spread crop diseases and can be poisonous also.They may damage agriculture production and also pose health and environmental problems.
“We still don’t know how dangerous these unsolicited seeds are,” he said. “Tests are being conducted in the US and Canada. These seeds are suspected to have originated in China, but the Chinese foreign ministry has said it has no role in it. India needs to be highly vigilant at seaports, airports and all entry points of cargo through road among others.”
Keshavulu, who is also the managing director of Telangana State Seeds and Organic Certification Authority (TSSOCA), said people should immediately approach the police if they receive seeds they have not ordered.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that these unsolicited seeds are species belonging to morning glory plants, hibiscus, wild rose and Japanese knot beads. “We don’t know about its adaptation, performance. These are non-native varieties imported from a country yet to be identified. They may suppress the food crops and may be difficult to control if they grow vigorously,” he added.
Interestingly, Telangana is considered the seed capital of India and exports Rs 10,000 crore worth of seeds annually to Europe, the US, Africa, south and South-East Asian countries, in addition to 12 states in India. The state caters to about 60% of the country’s seed requirement.
The highest seed processing capacity at one place in the world i.e., 1,000 metric tonnes per hour is in Greater Hyderabad.
“We have put on alert the agriculture department and other agencies, universities, farmers and research organisations in the state too,” said Keshavulu.