Seeds for growth: How technology can boost Indian agriculture

Source– The post is based on the article “Seeds for growth: How technology can boost Indian agriculture” published in “The Indian Express” on 10th August 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture. GS1-Economic geography

Relevance: Issues related to agricultural inputs

News– The article explains the issues related to the seed industry in India and suggests solutions for development of better seed varieties.

What are the challenges faced by Indian agriculture?

There remains an unmet demand for coarse cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables. These essential food items are not affordable for a significant portion of the population. As a result, a substantial proportion of the population is undernourished.

Diminishing natural resources, a growing population, severe weather patterns, and climate-related natural calamities present significant obstacles to Indian and regional agriculture.

How has the seed industry evolved in India?

The foundation of the Indian seed industry was solidified during the 1960s with the establishment of the National Seeds Corporation. It gained further momentum through supportive policies and regulations introduced in the late 1980s.

Significant developments such as the enactment of the Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Rights Act in 2001 and the introduction of Bt cotton hybrids for commercial cultivation in 2002 has taken place. It has marked the transition to a technology-driven era in the seed sector.

The Indian seed market has expanded to an estimated value of $4.0 to $6.0 billion.

What is the importance of seeds?

The key factors determining agricultural profitability includes input costs like seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, along with expenses related to land, labour, and water.

Seed costs typically account for around 3 to 6 percent of the total production expenses. Yet, they can contribute to a yield advantage of 15-20 percent beyond the genetic potential.

What is the way forward for the seed industry in India?

Crop variety development can be achieved by leveraging techniques such as molecular technologies, speed breeding, and gene-editing tools. The effective use of applied seed technologies will guarantee optimal functionality.

Hence, contemporary seed technology should combine genetic advancements with applied methodologies to produce enhanced seed varieties capable of withstanding biological and environmental challenges.

These technologies would comprise: Genetic manipulation in variety development; priming or physiological advancement protocols; film coating, pelleting with or without active formulations; seed treatments with biologicals, or chemical pesticides having contact or systemic mode of action; bio-stimulants and nutrients for higher germination and faster seedling establishment; etc.

Most of these technologies are in commercial use globally, and some have been introduced in India.

A robust regulatory mechanism that includes quality seedlings and planting materials is needed under the newly proposed “Clean Green Mission” by the Government of India.

Supportive regulatory guidelines will play a crucial role in facilitating the adoption of seed technologies.

The Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic, or Mixed) (Control Order, 1985) has been updated to the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic, or Mixed) (Control) Amendment Order, 2021, which now incorporates bio-stimulants as a vital element in seed-enhancement technology.

Furthermore, adjustments are required to include coated or pelleted seeds within the Certified Seed (CS) category.

Coated seeds are currently only permitted to be sold as Truthfully Labelled (TL) seeds. Film coating is widely recognized for its farmer-friendly attributes and has capacity to decrease pesticide application by as much as one-tenth,

In the past 10 to 15 years, a positive trend of public-private collaboration, facilitated by licensing agreements, has emerged.

This collaboration has effectively promoted various open-pollinated and hybrid varieties. As a result, there have been improvements in both Variety Replacement Rates and Seed Replacement Rates in field crops and vegetables.

Given this context, sustainable seed technologies accessible from the private sector can further enhance the value derived from seed planting.

Therefore, the research and development efforts of both public and private sectors can mutually complement each other in crafting environmentally friendly and high-performing seeds that remain affordable.