Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday called on India’s private seed industry to allocate at least 10 per cent of its funds towards seed research and development, emphasising that strong R&D is essential for boosting productivity, cutting crop losses, and enhancing nutritional value in the coming years. He was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Seed Mahakumbh 2025’, held as part of the Asian Seed Congress (ASC) in Mumbai.
Chouhan said India has huge potential to become a global seed export hub, with 15 diverse agro-climatic zones from Kashmir to Kanyakumari offering unmatched opportunities for seed development. He added that the government will introduce the Seed Amendment Act in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament and urged the industry to share suggestions to strengthen the proposed legislation.
Highlighting the seed industry’s growing importance in ensuring India’s food security, Chouhan said that the sector has contributed significantly to the rise in foodgrain production. “In the coming days, the biggest challenges will be reducing production costs, minimising chemical-related crop losses, and improving the nutritional value of foodgrains. The seed industry can play a decisive role in meeting all three,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the Asian Seed Congress 2025 as a “global gathering of agricultural researchers”. With climate change increasing pressure on farmers, he said, high-quality seeds are becoming critical, and advanced tools like AI and Blockchain will be used to prevent the circulation of inferior seeds.
Ajay Rana, President, FSII, said India’s seed industry currently conducts annual business worth Rs 40,000–50,000 crore and ranks fifth globally in seed production. With rising domestic demand and export opportunities, he said the sector is poised for major expansion in the coming years.
The conference—jointly organised by the Asia and Pacific Seed Alliance (APSA) and the National Seed Association of India (NSAI)—has attracted participation from over 40 countries.