With an aim to increase seed production of paddy, wheat and pulses, the Chandra Shekhar Azad (CSA) University of Agriculture and Technology launched a three-year-long project on Thursday.

The project has been approved by the Centre under the National Food Security Mission. It has been allotted Rs 7.60 crore and the university has received Rs 3.50 crore as budget for the first year. Through the project, the CSA aims to increase seed production by strengthening the basic infrastructure of 40 farms of the institute. The CSA will produce nucleus seeds for different varieties of paddy, wheat and pulses, and thereafter foundation seeds will be developed in the institute’s farms. Anil Singh Rathi, Project Coordinator and Deputy Director Seeds Farm, said. “We will hand over the foundation seeds to the state Agriculture Department, which will be responsible for the production and sale of certified seeds,” he said.