Connect with:
Friday / December 20. 2024

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII)"
India, Opinions, Seeds

Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds, highlights the significance of the seed industry in addressing food and nutritional challenges.

As global food insecurity and malnutrition continue to pose significant challenges, the seed industry stands as a critical player in addressing these issues. According to the United Nations, over 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, leading to various forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity. At the same time, nearly one-third of the world’s food production is wasted, enough to feed an additional 2 billion people.

India, with its prominent role in global agriculture, ranks sixth in the world’s food market, accounting for 70 per cent of sales, and fifth in production, consumption, and export. With total food grains production standing at 332.98 million tonnes, the country is uniquely positioned to contribute to global food security. However, meeting this challenge requires more than just increasing food production, it calls for improving the quality of what we grow, and this is where the seed industry plays a vital role.

Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds, highlights the significance of the seed industry in addressing food and nutritional challenges. “Seeds are the foundation of agriculture. By using advanced seed technology, we can provide farmers with high-quality seeds that are not only resilient to climate challenges but also rich in nutrients,” says Rana. “This ensures that farmers can grow more food with better nutritional value, helping to meet the dietary needs of billions.”

The seed industry directly responsible for contributions to food security by enabling the cultivation of higher-yielding and more resilient crops. This results in greater food production to meet growing demand. Additionally, innovations in seed technology have allowed for the development of crops that are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, helping to combat malnutrition.

The seed industry’s impact extends beyond just boosting yields. It is also crucial for enhancing the nutritional value of food crops. “We are focusing on developing seeds for crops that are naturally rich in essential nutrients,” says Rana. “This includes biofortified varieties that offer higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which are critical for tackling malnutrition. By improving the nutritional content of crops, we are directly contributing to better health outcomes.”

Farmers like Ganesh Nanote from Maharashtra have seen firsthand the benefits of improved seeds. “With better-quality seeds, we can grow crops that are not only higher in yield but also more nutritious,” says Nanote. “This has helped us not only in earning a better livelihood but also in ensuring that the food we produce is healthier for our families and communities.”

Ajai Rana also highlights the industry’s role in sustainability. “Sustainability is key to long-term food security. Our goal is to develop seeds that enable farmers to produce more food using fewer resources, such as water and fertilizers,” he says. “This ensures that agricultural practices remain environmentally sustainable while also providing nutritious food.”

As India continues to play a key role in the global food system, the seed industry’s contribution to ensuring both food and nutritional security is crucial. Through innovations in seed technology, the industry is supporting sustainable agricultural practices that will help feed the growing global population while also enhancing the quality of food. This makes the seed industry a central player in the mission to ensure access to nutritious food for all.

Ajai Rana, Chairman of the Federation of

India, R&D, Seeds

The study involved 11 states; 30 districts; 7 crops; and inputs from 3,200 farmers along with 300 dealers, KVKs, and departmental officials.

 A collaborative study by Dr NT Yaduraju, Dr M R Hegde and Dr A R Sadananda and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) discussed the various weed management practices using herbicides, mechanization of weed removal, crop rotation, cover cropping, biological control among others that can lower costs by 40-60 per cent compared to traditional approaches. Experts said that it can be a game changer for farmers across India. With India’s population expected to reach 1.65 billion by 2050, effectively managing weed infestations will play an important role in boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring long-term food security.

The report was released on Friday at a joint conference by the Directorate of Weed Research and FSII titled ‘Weed Management – Emerging Challenges & Management Strategies’. The report, which surveyed 11 states, 30 districts, 7 crops, and gathered inputs from 3,200 farmers along with 300 dealers, KVKs, and departmental officials, revealed that the average expenditure on weed control per acre varies between Rs. 3,700 and Rs. 7,900. Beyond the issue of high costs, weeds are a leading contributor to crop losses among all biotic stresses, posing a serious threat to agricultural productivity.

According to research presented at the conference, weeds are responsible for approximately 25-26 per cent of yield losses in kharif crops and 18-25 per cent in rabi crops, translating to an annual economic loss of around Rs 92,202 crore in crop productivity across India.

Experts stressed on adoption of innovative solutions, such as mechanized weeding and herbicide tolerant crops, which can reduce labour costs by up to 72 per cent. With labour shortages affecting many regions, mechanized solutions and trait solutions have become not only practical but essential.

Experts at the conference informed that the report surveyed seven major crops including rice, wheat, maize, cotton, sugarcane, soybean, and mustard, that together account for 90.37 per cent of India’s total cropped area. The recommendations for each of these crops have the potential to be a gamechanger for farmers by significantly reducing weed management costs, boosting productivity, and preventing the development of herbicide resistance in weeds over the long term.

Dr S K Chaudhari, Deputy Director General, Natural Resource Management Division, ICAR, emphasised the critical need for the seed sector to stay vigilant and proactive in the field of weed science. He stated, “The collaboration between the private and public sectors is essential to effectively tackle the challenges posed by weeds. As agricultural productivity is increasingly hindered by labour shortages and resource constraints, adopting solutions like mechanization, herbicide-tolerant traits, and precision agriculture becomes imperative to empower farmers.”

Dr P K Singh, Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, speaking at the conference regarding potential damage and losses in productivity of various crops due to weed infestation, emphasized the critical need for a robust weed management framework involving traditional, mechanical, chemical and any other innovative solutions in the context of new cropping systems like DSR, Natural Farming, Organic Farming in the present climate change regime and labour constraints.

Ajai Rana, Chairman of FSII and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds, also weighed in on the challenges saying, “Technological interventions like AI-driven weed detection, drone-based mapping, and data-backed IWM strategies can redefine weed management in India. With herbicide resistance and shifting weed biotypes posing serious threats, it’s imperative we adopt precision tools that offer real-time insights and elevate our weed control methods to the next level of efficiency and sustainability.”

Emphasizing the crucial role of Herbicide-Tolerant technology, especially in countries where adopting GM technology faces various challenges, Rana noted, “Developing HT crops for existing herbicides through mutation breeding is a promising strategy and alternative. HT crop technology offers cost effective control against hard-to-manage weeds and wild species competing with main crop. However, the success and long-term sustainability of this technology depend on integrating it with a comprehensive stewardship program. A robust outreach initiative involving all stakeholders, along with institutional collaboration and oversight, is essential to ensure the effective implementation and success of HT crop systems.”

The study involved 11 states; 30 districts;

AgroPolicy, India, R&D, Seeds

The review of agricultural research will ensure high productivity and development of climate-resilient varieties, which is a crucial step forward for seed industry.

 Ajai Rana, Chairman, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) & CEO & MD Savannah Seeds shared his views on the Union Budget 2024 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The seed industry welcomes the budget 2024-2025, which has allocated Rs 1.52 lakh crore to the agriculture and allied sectors, marking an increase from the Rs 1.25 lakh crore allocated in 2023. This budget has rightfully kept farmers at its core, identifying agriculture and its allied sectors as a top priority among the nine key focus areas. The emphasis on Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture highlights a strategic direction to strengthen the sector.

The push towards agricultural research in India is a significant concern for the seed industry. The finance minister has addressed this concern by announcing a comprehensive review of the agricultural research setup. This review will ensure high productivity and development of climate-resilient varieties, which is a crucial step forward for our industry.

Moreover, the announcement of the release of 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops is a monumental step. This landmark initiative will address the detrimental effects of droughts and floods on agriculture, safeguarding farmers from crop losses and ensuring food security and stable incomes. Introducing these resilient crop varieties will support farmers through innovative agricultural practices.

India’s agriculture sector has recently emphasised the need to achieve self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses. In 2022-23, the country imported 165 million metric tonnes of edible oils. The announcement of a mission for pulses and oilseeds is a strategic move towards achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbharta), potentially saving India substantial amounts in import costs and strengthening domestic production.

The launch of the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana aims to significantly boost rural connectivity, thereby fostering rural prosperity and attracting substantial capital, particularly Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), in the agriculture sector. The government’s steadfast commitment to facilitating the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in agriculture, in collaboration with states, will modernise the sector and enhance its efficiency. Integrating the details of 6 crore farmers and their lands into centralized farmer and land registries will streamline agricultural management and support systems.

However, cotton should have also been included in this mission. A dedicated cotton technology mission is crucial to address the challenges faced by the cotton sector. Additionally, the budget missed providing tax benefits for the seed industry on research investments. Restoring the 200 per cent IT deduction that the industry has been advocating for would have been beneficial & is a miss in the budget.

The budget 2024-2025 reflects a comprehensive and progressive approach to strengthening India’s agriculture sector. The Federation of Seed Industry of India applauds these initiatives and looks forward to contributing to the nation’s agricultural advancement.

The review of agricultural research will ensure

Agribusiness, India, Interaction, Seeds, Soil Health

Experts had a high-impact brainstorming session on “Public-Private Partnership in Agriculture: A Way Forward” organised by TAAS In collaboration with ICAR, FSII and NSAI.

Public private partnerships could hold the key to address many pressing challenges of agriculture including diffusion of innovation to farmers, scaling -up research and helping farmers get the right market linkages, experts said at a conference in New Delhi.

The Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), and the National Seed Association of India (NSAI), organised a high-impact brainstorming session at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), Pusa Campus titled “Public-Private Partnership in Agriculture: A Way Forward.”

Currently, India’s agricultural sector employs over 50 per cent of the country’s workforce and contributes about 17 per cent to the nation’s GDP. However, to sustain and boost this contribution, it is essential to adopt new technologies and practices. The private sector has shown tremendous potential in this regard, especially through advancements in biotechnology and improved seed varieties. By 2022, the adoption of genetically modified Bt Cotton had resulted in a 24 per cent increase in yield and a 50 per cent reduction in pesticide use, showcasing the transformative impact of private partnership.

Over 60 key stakeholders, including scientists, researchers, policy makers, and private sector representatives participated. The focus was on developing a clear Road Map to enhance Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the agriculture sector to scale innovations for impact and benefit to farmers.

Dr RS Paroda, Founder Chairman, TAAS and Former Secretary DARE and DG, ICAR emphasized an urgent need for PPP collaboration, stating, “Indian agriculture is at a crossroads. To meet the increasing demand for food and to address the challenges of climate change, we must leverage the strengths of both public and private sectors. Effective PPPs are essential to upscale and outscale innovations for sustainable agriculture.” He further added “The current public agricultural research investment is grossly insufficient, therefore, there is a need to explore the options to enhance agricultural research investment in a partnership mode. We need to accelerate annual growth in agriculture to at least 4 per cent, thus contributing around USD 1 trillion from agriculture to achieve India’s projected USD 5 trillion economy”

The Chief Guest Dr T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, PPV&FRA emphasized that public-private partnerships are effective means to address the existing challenges and unlock new opportunities to enhance agricultural growth and development.

Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII, highlighted the critical role of seed industry in transforming agriculture. “The private seed sector has already made significant contributions, especially in the area of genetically modified crops like Bt Cotton. However, there is immense potential for further advancements through strategic PPPs. Our goal is to develop and disseminate high-quality seed varieties that can revolutionize Indian agriculture,” he remarked.

Stakeholders were unanimous in realising considerable strength in both public and private research institutions. However, such potential can effectively be tapped through highly focused PPP Projects of national importance. What urgently effective collaboration in research, access and benefit sharing and the enabling policies.

Ram Kaundinya, Advisor, FSII, added, “Market-driven research and the adoption of advanced technologies such as genome editing are crucial. Through strengthened PPPs, we can ensure that innovations in high priority areas are not only developed but reach our farmers soon for enhancing productivity and profitability.”

Experts had a high-impact brainstorming session on

AgroPolicy, India, Industry Reports / Analysis, Interaction

Experts shared their views in webinar by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) titled, “Innovations for Transformation of Agri-Food Systems: An Agenda for Amrit Kaal.”

As India braces for 100 years and towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, experts say agriculture will hold the key to this transformation. They recommend an urgent need for a reorientation of the agriculture sector to transform India’s agri-food systems in the coming years.

Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr RS Paroda, Founder Chairman of the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), emphasized India’s need to become ‘Viksit’, aiming for atmanirbharta and adopting a local-to-global perspective as the country approaches its 100th year of independence in 2047. “New India should focus on capturing global markets, enhancing agricultural research for innovations, reducing imports of pulses, oilseeds, and fertilizers, and achieving a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2027,” Dr Paroda highlighted. He was speaking at a webinar by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) titled, “Innovations for Transformation of Agri-Food Systems: An Agenda for Amrit Kaal.”

To achieve this vision, Dr Paroda and other experts outlined an agenda that includes increased investment in agricultural R&D, advocating for a doubling of allocations, establishing a robust export-import policy, strengthening public-private partnerships, adopting a farmer-first approach, converting subsidies into incentives for efficient input use, promoting youth as agri-entrepreneurs and input providers, and supporting market reforms.

Dr Paroda emphasized that reorienting Indian agriculture requires leveraging ‘new science for new gains’. This includes embracing agricultural biotechnology, utilizing information and communication technology for knowledge management, actively applying bioinformatics, and progressively guiding farmers towards adopting climate-smart agriculture with precision farming techniques. He added, “India must galvanize political will, mobilize institutional and human resources, and foster effective public-private partnerships to revolutionize our agri-food systems. Additionally, we need to equip our youth with the necessary skills so as to offer private extension services to farmers, play pivotal role as input providers and agri-entrepreneurs, and consider the agricultural sector as a promising and rewarding career path.”

Currently, India is the largest producer of milk, pulses, jute, and bananas, and the second-largest producer of wheat, rice, fruits, vegetables, and sugarcane. Beyond production, the industry also aims to be among the top five exporters by 2030. To this end, the sector advocates for a robust EXIM policy to increase India’s agricultural contribution from 2.5% to 5% of the global total by 2047.

Dr Ajai Rana, Chairman of FSII and Asia-Pacific Head & CEO of Savannah Seeds, while congratulating the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on his new role, expressed the sector’s hope that the government will address industry concerns. Dr Rana stated, “The new government has a crucial role in steering the sector towards self-reliance, farmers’ prosperity, sustainability, and robust innovation through R&D. This includes introducing modern technologies in seeds, crop protection chemicals, crop nutrition products, and biological products, as well as redirecting agricultural subsidies as incentives for crop diversification and cultivating climate-resilient varieties.”

As the sector looks forward to a future marked by unprecedented growth opportunities, Dr Ram Kaundinya, Advisor to FSII, highlighted the critical need for increased investment in agricultural research and the establishment of strategic frameworks to support this vision.

He said, “To spur innovation, it is vital to increase agricultural research investment from the current 0.61 per cent of agri-GDP to 1%. Identifying and funding high-priority research projects over the next 3-5 years with active participation from both public and private sectors can yield significant advancements. Formulating a National Agricultural Development Council (NADC), modeled after the GST council, can also be highly effective.”

Dr Kaundinya also advocated for enhancing digital infrastructure to improve operational efficiency, reduce drudgery, and enable digital business operations in agriculture, along with progressive and science-based regulations for biotechnology.

Experts shared their views in webinar by

Agribiotechnology, Agrotech, India, Interaction, Seeds

The experts highlighted the opportunities and challenges in effectively leveraging intellectual property to drive innovation and competitiveness in the seed and biotechnology sectors in India.

The agriculture sector in India is seeing a tremendous shift as it rapidly adopts new technology and innovations. A strong environment for intellectual property rights (IPR) is essential for India to fulfil its goals of becoming a “viksit” by 2047 and maintain its current pace of progress towards Amrit Kaal. Distinguished experts from the seed industry emphasised the importance of a strong intellectual property rights (IPR) environment and effective enforcement at a national conference called “Innovate, Protect, Prosper: Role of Intellectual Property Protection in taking India’s Seed Sector to the Next Level,” which was organised by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) on May 3 2024.

The experts highlighted the opportunities and challenges in effectively leveraging intellectual property to drive innovation and competitiveness in the seed and biotechnology sectors in India. In order to boost innovation and competition in India’s seed and biotechnology industries, the experts discussed the pros and cons of utilising intellectual property. Improving IP protection and enforcement processes, especially in the seed and biotech industries, easing the process of knowledge transfer and licensing agreements, understanding and complying with complicated regulatory frameworks, and raising stakeholder awareness and ability are all obstacles.

“The acceleration of new innovations and technologies needed for faster growth of agriculture depends on an enabling environment for intellectual property rights protection,” stated Dr Raj S. Paroda, Founder and Chairman of the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS). Innovators are encouraged to do better, invest, and create when they are convinced that their rights will be protected. Spending on breeding new, high-yielding types and hybrids that can withstand both natural and artificial challenges is one good example. The good news is that PPVFRA has given India a one-of-a-kind intellectual property framework that safeguards the interests of both plant breeders and farmers.

Many countries have learned the hard way that they need to strike a balance when it comes to intellectual property rights. Encouraging innovation and investment requires robust IP protection. Innovation may be accelerated and complex problems can be tackled with the help of collaborative research efforts, public-private partnerships, and open innovation frameworks.

India takes a progressive approach towards PVP learning from global best practices in intellectual property rights (IPR) for seeds and agricultural biotechnology. “We must also remember the rights of farmers as custodians of traditional varieties and the need for benefit sharing,” according to Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), who emphasised the significance of IP learning for the Indian seed industry. An effective intellectual property rights framework will do two things: encourage innovation and guarantee access to technology.

“For the common good of all parties involved, including farmers, conferences like this one are essential in raising seed and biotech industry and regulatory sector IP protection awareness, as well as in fostering discussion and cooperation among stakeholders regarding IP protection strategies, regulatory hurdles, and the trajectory of technology transfer in agriculture going forward.” “Additionally,” Dr Mohapatra stated.

Ajai Rana, Chairman of the FSII and Managing Director and CEO of Savannah Seeds, made the following statement regarding the importance of a well-rounded intellectual property rights (IPR) environment for the seed industry: “There needs to be a multi-faceted and collaborative approach towards building an effective policy and regulatory framework around IPR particularly in the seed industry. To achieve this goal, we must reform our laws, strengthen our institutions, include our stakeholders, and work together internationally to spur innovation that will allow us to address our most critical issues.”

Rana reiterated the need for improved internal intellectual property rights protection and enforcement and pushed for more public-private partnerships to boost R&D initiatives.

India can overcome the challenges it is facing in its seed and biotechnology sectors by developing a sophisticated IP strategy that draws on international best practices and insights. This approach can foster innovation, promote technology transfer, and overcome other obstacles.

By Nitin Konde

The experts highlighted the opportunities and challenges

Agro Universities, R&D, Textile industry

Experts discussed about the future of GM cotton in India at a brainstorming workshop on ‘Biotech Interventions in Cotton Improvement: Opportunities and Challenges’ in Nagpur.

The country is poised to make India a global hub for textile industry. Several states including Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have undertaken a slew of initiatives to establish exclusive textile parks. In this context, Cotton experts and scientists said that a concerted push to Genetically Modified (GM) cotton will be vital to ensure a robust textiles value chain and achieving the aspirations of the States. GM Cotton with new traits will remain pivotal to this ambition.

At a brainstorming workshop on ‘Biotech Interventions in Cotton Improvement: Opportunities and Challenges’, organised by the ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur in association with Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), with support from the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), at ICAR-CICR campus in Nagpur, experts said the future of GM  cotton in India will be determined by a complex interplay of technological, regulatory, socio-economic, and environmental factors. Cotton researchers and agricultural experts emphasized the necessity of continued innovation, responsible stewardship, and stakeholder collaboration for harnessing the full potential of modern biotechnologies-genetic engineering and gene editing.

Bt-cotton brought a revolution in the country’s cotton production and transformed a cotton-importing country into a leading cotton producer. However, the momentum broke with the decline in production in FY2015. Since then, affected by pest infestation, specifically, pink bollworm, cotton production in the country is registering a constant stagnation. Addressing challenges and ensuring responsible stewardship of the technology will be essential for sustaining its benefits and promoting the long-term viability of cotton farming in India. To counter these challenges, the need for biotechnological interventions in cotton improvement is the most pressing issue in India.

Dr Y. G. Prasad, Director, ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur said, “Adopted in India more than two decades ago, Bt-cotton varieties are genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins that are toxic to certain pests, such as bollworms and pink bollworms, significantly reducing the need for chemical insecticides and improving yield and quality.”

Dr C D Mayee, Former Chairman, ASRB and Former Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur noted cotton expert expressed that biotechnology has enabled the development of herbicide-tolerant cotton varieties that allow for more effective weed control, reducing the need for manual labour for weed management, and can improve overall crop yields.

Speaking on the current challenges and need for genetic interventions in cotton, Dr Paresh Verma, Head AAI, Executive Director-Bioseeds Division, DCM Shriram Limited, Hyderabad, said, “Collaborative efforts involving policymakers, researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders are needed to navigate regulatory complexities, promote technology access and equity, and ensure that biotech interventions contribute to sustainable and inclusive cotton farming systems.” He added that, “The development and adoption of GM cotton varieties with broad-spectrum insect resistance represent a significant advancement in cotton production technology, offering farmers effective pest management solutions and contributing to more sustainable and profitable cotton farming systems.”

Field testing of GM cotton is a crucial step in the development and evaluation of new varieties before their commercial release and needs to be expedited. Experts also highlighted that focus on cotton needs to be sharpened in wake of employing over 45 million skilled workers, according to industry estimates, India’s textile industry is poised to achieve a milestone of US$250 billion in textile production by 2030.

Maharashtra, in particular, has set an ambitious target of reaching US$100 billion in textile production. The escalating requirements of the textile industry highlights the need to revitalize the cotton sector, experts assert. The current production levels present a significant bottleneck in the growth trajectory of the textile industry. To address this, there is an urgent need to fortify the cotton value chain and bolster cotton production.

Experts discussed about the future of GM

Agrotech, India, Seeds, Sustainability

FSII urges for collaborative efforts involving all stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to address agricultural waste issue.

India faces a significant challenge with its agricultural waste generation. Annually, the nation produces about 683 million tonnes (MT) of crop waste and an estimated 682.6 million tons of agricultural waste, including both edible crop production and surplus materials. This waste contributes substantially to India’s overall waste generation, amounting to approximately 62 million tonnes per year.

Additionally, out of India’s total solid waste, roughly 380 million tons are organic wastes from agricultural sources. These numbers highlight the urgent need for effective waste management strategies to minimise environmental pollution and promote sustainable practices.

Raghavan Sampathkumar, Executive Director, Federation of Seed Industry of India mentioned that FSII recognises the severity of this situation and urges immediate action on the International Day of Zero Waste. Effective waste management in agriculture requires sustainable practices to optimize resource usage, including careful application of fertilizers, pesticides, and water. Precision agriculture, a technique of improving crop yields and assisting management decisions using high technology sensor and analysis tools, can significantly reduce input waste, enhancing long-term sustainability. It ensures the effective management of fertilizers and irrigation processes.

Food waste reduction requires a two-pronged approach: minimizing spoilage throughout the supply chain and aligning food production with demand. Firstly, better storage and transportation practices are crucial. Technologies like moisture-preserving coatings for produce and implementing tracking systems can significantly extend a product’s shelf life.

Secondly, bridging the gap between supply and demand is essential. In India’s complex supply chains, food needs are often predictable, yet production isn’t due to the many layers between farmers and consumers. Here, technology plays a vital role. By building a data network across the chain, from satellite imagery to smartphone apps, we can create a clearer picture of food demand, allowing farmers to adjust production accordingly. Additionally, advancements in biotechnology, such as disease-resistant crops, can further reduce pre- and post-harvest losses.

By prioritising these initiatives, India can significantly reduce food waste. This not only lessens the environmental impact, including water and energy waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil degradation, but also promotes sustainable agriculture, resource conservation, and a path towards environmental responsibility for future generations.

FSII calls for collaborative efforts involving all stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to address this pressing issue. By embracing sustainable practices, we can work towards a future where agricultural waste is minimized, environmental pollution is reduced, and India’s agricultural sector thrives sustainably.

FSII urges for collaborative efforts involving all

Agrotech, Foodgrains, India, Interaction, Seeds, Sustainability

Experts opined at a conference “DSR for Sustainable & Profitable Rice Production” organised by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) in New Delhi.

 Direct-seeded rice (DSR) has the potential to bring a reduction in water consumption, cut methane emissions, minimize soil erosion, reduce manual labour, and provide better crop residue management in rice cultivation in India. DSR is a result-oriented and successful method for sustainable rice cultivation in India. The success of DSR lies with the farmers’ confidence. Farmers need confidence that they will get better yield, their plants will establish well, and effectively manage weeds, pests and diseases, experts opined at a conference “DSR for Sustainable & Profitable Rice Production” organised by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) at The Park Hotel, New Delhi today.

Rice is India’s leading foodgrain crop and is a staple food for the 1.4 billion population of the country. Grown in a variety of agro-climatic zones, according to industry estimates, rice is responsible for 50 per cent of crop-related methane emissions and approximately 40 percent of water consumption in agriculture, leading to depleting groundwater levels, soil degradation due to water runoff, and intensive manual labour in traditional and transplanted rice cultivation.

To successfully drive this transition from transplanted puddled rice to DSR with minimum fear and risk, allowing farmers to experience first-hand convenience and an equivalent or higher return on investment would require the agri input industry to closely work with the Central and state governments, plant breeders, farm machinery industry and farmers.

Speaking on the research and development in the field of DSR techniques, Dr AK Singh, Director, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), said, “Ongoing research and development efforts in the field of agriculture aim to improve DSR techniques, develop new varieties, and address any challenges associated with its adoption, ensuring continuous improvement and sustainability. In essence, Direct Seeded Rice in India represents a shift towards more sustainable, resource-efficient, and economically viable rice cultivation practices. As the agricultural landscape evolves, DSR will play a crucial role in meeting the demand of a growing population while addressing environmental and economic challenges.”

“Farmers need to adopt appropriate practices, such as selecting suitable rice varieties and managing weeds effectively, to maximize the benefits of this cultivation method. DSR eliminates the labour-intensive process of rice transplantation, saving on labour costs. Since DSR reduces the duration of flooded fields compared to traditional rice cultivation, it contributes to lower methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas associated with flooded rice fields, leading to climate change and global warming,” Dr Singh added.

Speakers during the inaugural session discussed how remunerative is DSR for farmers as compared to traditional and transplanted rice cultivation, challenges in the adoption of DSR, training and capacity building of farmers, developing an ecosystem to encourage DSR adoption and synergies between Central and state government policies.

Addressing the conference, Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII and Managing Director & CEO, Savannah Seeds, said, “The industry sees DSR as a technological advancement in rice cultivation. Direct seeding through machinery and drones, has the potential to further enhance efficiency and reduce dependence on manual labour, aligning with the modernization trends in Indian agriculture. The shift toward DSR creates opportunities for agribusinesses involved in the production and distribution of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm machinery. As more farmers adopt DSR, the demand for suitable inputs and equipment is likely to increase.”

“With a growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, the industry recognizes DSR as a practice that contributes to resource conservation. The reduced water usage and lower methane emissions align with global sustainability goals, making DSR an attractive option for environmentally conscious stakeholders. The reduced need for water and seedling nurseries contributes to overall cost reduction in terms of inputs and resources. This is particularly crucial in regions facing water scarcity. DSR is a win-win situation for the farmers. While reducing costs, DSR provides better yields which results in better incomes for farmers.” Rana added.

The benefits of DSR are well known as it is resource efficient, environment and soil friendly, has higher yields and less manpower requirement due to the shift from flooded to direct seeding system which leads to variation in water, tillage, nutrients, the crop faces challenges of weeds, pest and diseases attacks, and lodging.

The majority of rice farmers constantly struggle with issues of water availability and cultivation costs. Rice is a staple food and has good export potential. At the same time, this rice is resource-intensive and has a severe impact on the environment. DSR promises to address these challenges however this requires the support of government policies and procurement systems to encourage farmers to switch from traditional rice cultivation methods to DSR.

Ultimately, industry players evaluate the economic viability of DSR both for farmers and the broader agricultural value chain. The potential for increased yields reduced input costs, and improved sustainability positions DSR as a valuable component of the agricultural landscape in India.

By Nitin Konde

Experts opined at a conference “DSR for

India, Interaction, Seeds

FSII & FIJEEHA organised ‘Transforming Agriculture: Women, Technology, and Sustainable Growth’ workshop ahead of International Women’s Day.

Despite facing challenges such as limited access to inputs, markets, technology, training, and credit, as well as issues related to land ownership and low incomes, women in Indian agriculture have demonstrated remarkable resilience. By advocating for policies that support women’s empowerment, improving access to essential resources like technology, and acknowledging women’s invaluable contributions, significant progress can be made towards creating a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector, experts said.

Noted experts, speaking at a workshop ‘Transforming Agriculture: Women, Technology, and Sustainable Growth’ organised by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and Forum for Indian Journalists on Education, Environment, Health & Agriculture (FIJEEHA), echoed such sentiments ahead of International Women’s Day.

Highlighting the role of women in agriculture, Anuja Kadian, Director, FSII, and Government & Industry Affairs Director (Asia Pacific) Corteva Agriscience said, “Despite their significant involvement, rural women are predominantly viewed as labourers rather than recognized as farmers in their own right. There also exists a huge gender income gap which unfortunately is also widening due to the climate stressors.”

“Implementing policies and programs that recognize and formalize the status of women as farmers, ensuring they have equal access to land ownership, credit facilities, and agricultural resources is important. Promoting gender-sensitive agricultural extension services and training programs tailored to women’s needs can enhance their agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change,” Kadian added.

Shirley Thomas, Project Director of the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Indore highlighted how the agency was constantly working on enabling women farmers to embrace technologies to make farming easy and more remunerative. Dr Anita Rani, Principal Scientist in Plant Breeding at ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research highlighted the significance of women in agriculture. Dr Monica Jain, Professor & Head of the Department of Life Sciences at Maharaja Ranjit Singh College of Professional Sciences, shared her experience of how it was imperative to empower women on the farm.

Progressive women farmers who brought transformation in their farming practices by adopting precision technologies and better agronomy solutions and inspired their neighbouring women farmers resulting in doubling farm incomes were also felicitated.   

Ananda UVL, Director at FSII; Head of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at East-West Seed India; and Director for East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, India highlighted how women farmers, including in MP, are increasingly embracing precision agriculture methods, utilizing GPS technology and data analytics for efficiently managing resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides, resulting in higher crop yields and minimized environmental harm. “With access to timely training and education, rural women can enhance their role in agriculture, fostering both personal growth and contributing to the state’s development,” Ananda further said.

FSII & FIJEEHA organised ‘Transforming Agriculture: Women,

AgroPolicy, India, Seeds

FSII appreciates the GST rationalisations on seeds raw materials and services, and Atmanirbhar Oilseeds Abhiyan.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the interim Union Budget for forthcoming financial year (2024-25) in the parliament.FM announced schemes and special programmes for the various sectors of agriculture.

While sharing the post-budget reaction on behalf of Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII, CEO and Managing Director, Savannah Seeds Pvt Ltd said that having steered the economy to a glorious path in the last one decade with progressive reforms in agriculture, it is heartening to see the Finance Minister spell out the vision for making India Viksit by 2047 that relies on continued momentum on advances made so far. The Seed Industry is particularly happy to see the emphasis given on oilseeds and the imperative to make the sector self-reliant in this interim Budget.

We welcome the Finance Minister’s announcement on Atmanirbhar Oilseeds Abhiyan with a focused strategy on achieving self-reliance in oilseeds, such as mustard, groundnut, soyabean, sesame and sunflower. This is a timely and effective step that shall augment our aspirations to become self-reliant in this critical sector. As India continues to make rapid strides towards being a world leader, it is vital that we embrace globally approved technologies. The industry applauds Government’s focus on high yielding varieties of seeds, adoption of modern farming techniques, market linkages, procurement, value addition and crop insurance.

The Rs 1 lakh crore R&D corpus allocation for 50 years with low or nil interest is a visionary move guided by Hon PM’s focus on Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigya & Jai Anusandhan.

The focus on reform, perform and transform has been evident in the Government’s work in the last one decade. We sincerely hope in the Full Budget after the new government, we shall see the spirit reflected in aspirations of the seeds industry by way of GST rationalizations on seeds raw materials and services, deductions on R&D expenses, progressive environment for enabling more investments in the sector.

FSII appreciates the GST rationalisations on seeds

Agri Genomics, AgroPolicy, India, Seeds

Innovations including GM, hold great potential to make crops resistant to pests and diseases, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

Recently the Supreme Court reopened its hearing on several petitions contesting the central government’s decision to commercially grow genetically modified (GM) mustard. In wake of the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court of India on GM mustard, the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has expressed that FSII is optimistic about the regulatory process adopted for scrutinizing GM crops in India.

Ram Kaundinya, Advisor, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) said, “We are optimistic that a holistic picture emerges by recognising the significant role of technology in increasing agricultural production, solid scientific evidence, India’s robust regulatory systems and the nation’s long-term interests.

It is essential that the country’s aspirations in terms of reducing the huge edible oil imports, saving huge foreign exchange, boosting productivity and farmers’ incomes are given due importance as discussions progress. Hence, we are hopeful that the cultural, social and nutritional importance of mustard for India are recognised while deliberating the issue holistically.

We also reiterate that the regulatory process adopted for scrutinizing GM crops in India including the biosafety protocols adhered to by GEAC and RCGM for GM approvals, are not only robust but align with globally accepted and benchmarked standards.

Innovations including GM, hold great potential to make crops resistant to pests and diseases, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, India needs to be open to exploring such innovative technologies to transform its agrarian sector, which forms the basis of livelihoods of nearly two-third of the population.

Kaundinya also added that we at FSII, continue to closely watch the developments in this regard. We hope that science will prevail and ultimately, farmers will be able to access and benefit from scientific and technological innovations in future.

Innovations including GM, hold great potential to

AgroPolicy, India, Opinions

By Ram Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII)

The Union Budget 2023-24, presented by the Finance Minister has many positive announcements for agriculture in general and a budget allotment of Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The budget is an important instrument used by governments to shape public policy, economic growth and desired public responses to a country’s needs.

The most important announcement is the development of open source, open standards and interoperable Digital Public Goods (DPG) for delivering several services to the farmers. As we know digital technology is transforming our lives. A DPG like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completely changed the landscape of payment systems in the country. Even many of the developed countries do not have such a system. The recently introduced Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) will also have a major impact on the scale-up of digital ecommerce businesses and consumers. Similar DPGs are to be developed for delivering multiple services to the farmers like a supply of inputs, crop advisory /health monitoring, credit, insurance, etc. Some private organisations like Agri Collaboratory, the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) are working on this subject, apart from several government organisations and the Agristack, launched by the government earlier. It is very heartening that the government has now focused attention on this subject through the budget announcement, which will help in making this a reality.

Setting up an Agri Accelerator Fund for startups in rural areas is another major announcement. This will go a long way in supporting the new wave of startups coming up in the food, agri and fintech sectors. Startups are working in the pre-sowing phase, cultivation-phase and post-harvest phase of crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry and other segments of agriculture. This fund will help in scaling up real innovations, including grass- root level innovations which can play a crucial role in making farming easier and reducing the drudgery of the farmer, apart from making it attractive for the youth and women to get into agriculture.

A micro-irrigation project has been announced in Karnataka as well, with an allotment of Rs 5,500 crore budget, aside from targeting Rs 20 lakh crore of agri credit. All these  are very positive measures to help agriculture and the farmers.

The Cooperative sector received a big boost in the budget, emphasising the need for a cooperative-based economic development model. This is in line with the recent announcements made about giving a major role to cooperatives in the supply of seeds to farmers. The budget talked about the computerisation of 65000 Primary Agricultural Credit Coop Societies at an investment of Rs 2516 crore. This will also help in setting up a national database of cooperative societies. Massive decentralised storage facilities will be set up for crop output in rural areas. There will be a scale-up of multi-purpose cooperative societies, dairy societies, fisheries societies, etc. These measures will help the rural areas in a big way and the farmers will benefit particularly well.

The thrust towards natural farming has continued in the budget. A few important announcements were made. An Organic Bioresources Scheme has been announced, which envisages setting up 200 compressed biogas plants at an investment of Rs 10,000 crore Large-scale biomass collection and distribution structures will be set up.

A Bharatiya Prakrutik Natural farming system will be established under the name GOBARDHAN Scheme. 10,000 bio-input resource centres will be set up to promote natural farming among one crore farmers. This is a massive program which hopes to convert almost 5 per cent of the farmers to natural farming. This could be a turning point in the history of natural farming in India. However the challenge of marketing products of such natural farming as value-added products through an identity-preserved supply chain system will remain a challenge, unless the government announces a separate programme for it. The profitability of the one crore farmers will depend on marketing their output at remunerative prices.

The budget should have addressed more deeply incentivising sustainable agricultural practices and smart agriculture, which will help in mitigating climate risk. Specific and well- targeted incentives for crop diversification, reducing water consumption and similar urgent needs could have been included in the budget. Promotion of natural farming is not a guarantee for sustainable agriculture.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

By Ram Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of

AgroPolicy, India, Seeds

Unapproved varieties of HtBt cotton seeds harming country’s cotton production, will hurt farmers in the long run.

The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has been informing stakeholders about the increasing usage of unapproved herbicide-tolerant Bt (HtBt) cotton seeds across the country that is posing threat to the health and income of the farmers. FSII requests the Government of India to approve the new HtBt variety to ensure that farmers get access to upgraded varieties coming through proper regulatory systems.

“Legally deregulating HtBt will help farmers in managing cotton crops much better as it will give them access to legally approve high quality HTBt seeds.  This will give them superior weed control with lower labour and pest management costs and will save time.   It will minimize crop loss and ensure yields,” Dr Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director, FSII and Alliance for Agri Innovation (AAI) said.

Dr Bajaj further said that cotton farmers need technology support to compete globally. We believe the government will take cognizance of the matter and make the GM regulatory process predictable and science-based to help farmers and make India a major cotton producing country globally.

Crop varieties are constantly modified by proprietary companies to reverse yield losses that start surfacing after a few years of the first use of a variety. The objective is to make the seed capable of facing fresh pest challenges and thereby, improve yield.

“Cotton cultivation in India has a huge potential as well as scope for improvement that can be achieved by embracing new technologies such as HtBt cotton and introduction of new practices like High Density Plating System (HDPS) “, said Ram Kaundinya, Director General, FSII. He also added that Bt Cotton now covers 95 per cent of the cotton production area in India. In spite of these yield leaps, India is far behind the average global productivity compared to China, Brazil and USA. Recent decrease in yield and production is due to lack of adoption of new technologies and efficient agronomic practices, poor management of newer pests like pink bollworm and poor weed management. On the other hand, demand from the textile industry is growing rapidly. They need 45 million bales of cotton by 2026 while we are now stuck around 32 to 35 million bales production per annum. If we have to meet this requirement and also not sacrifice our cotton exports it is imperative that we introduce new technologies including HTBt, HDPS and eventually mechanical picking of cotton”

Given the delay in granting approval to the legal variant of HtBt seeds, farmers have been resorting to planting the illegal variety, sold at a 60% premium over the government-fixed price of Rs 810 per packet for regular Bt cotton, as the unapproved seeds help them in weed management and cut costs.

“Farmers have been illegally growing HtBt cotton since 2017, and the acreage is growing every year. This means farmers are in dire need of adopting the next technology. Farmers pay high prices and yet their crop is at risk due to quality issues with illegal seeds and no redressal mechanism,” said Dr Shivendra Bajaj. Since the illegal seeds contain unknown and unapproved traits, these could contaminate regular seeds, thereby putting legitimate seed growers at risk.

“Bt Cotton cultivation in India has completed 20 years. The farmers have immensely benefited from this technology and today, India is just behind China in cotton production. Several studies have been conducted to assess the impact of the adoption of Bt Cotton in India and all have found substantial increase in cotton yields, farmer’s profits and also a sizable increase in socio-economic benefits for rural households. The yields and productivity have been on an upward trajectory since,” said Kaundinya.

In the 2020-21 crop year (July-June,) the ministry of agriculture while fixing the price of a packet of Bt cotton-II abolished the trait value payable to the license holders (Bayer-Mahyco), thus allowing reduction in the prices to the farmers. Unless technology intervention is expedited, it will be difficult for India to meet the cotton requirement of 45 million bales in the coming five years.

Unapproved varieties of HtBt cotton seeds harming