Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Agriculture

15-October-2012 14:43 IST

The State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI) today presented a dividend cheque of Rs. 1.57 crore to Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar.

SFCI is one of the major seed producers in the public sector. It has been producing seed of various foodgrains, fibre, plantation and fruits crops. The Corporation is known for its quality seed production and has the market share of about 3% in the country. The seed is being supplied under schemes of Government of India, State Governments and also through dealers network. It has been earning profit constantly. In 2011-12 it earned a profit of Rs. 58.18 crore (before tax).

Presently, the Corporation is managing five farms in the total area of 21908 ha. which are in the state of Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka. The Corporation is also managing production of seeds at growers’ field. During the year, 8.65 lakh qtls. of seed and 2.49 lakh sapling of horticultural crops were produced.

The Corporation has given major thrust to infrastructure development to maintain the quality and purity of seed. Massive expansion for introduction of micro irrigation system and establishment of modern seed processing plants were taken up to increase the seed production. Recently, a new technology of central pivot irrigation system was introduced, first time in India, for irrigating crops at its Rajasthan farms.

SFCI is also expanding its business in new activities such as utilizing of bio-mass for making feed blocks for feeding animals, utilization of bio-mass for power generation, venturing into warehousing business, fishery, consultancy and hiring business, processing and procurement etc.

MP:CP: sfci dividend (15.10.2012)

Public sector dividend payment: government receives dividend following corporate profit and strategic expansion of seed production operations. A public sector seed corporation declared a profit for 2011-12 and paid a dividend to the government, reflecting its role supplying seed under government schemes and via dealers. The corporation manages multiple farms, produces substantial seed and saplings, has invested in seed-quality infrastructure including modern processing plants and irrigation systems, and is diversifying into biomass utilization, warehousing, fishery, consultancy, and related agribusiness activities.