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HomePosts Tagged "Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII)."
Agribiotechnology, Agrotech, India, Opinions, Seeds

Experts discussed about crucial role of Public-Private Partnerships for Biotech in agriculture at workshop, organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences Raichur Karnataka, and Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), and supported by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII).

 The Union Budget’s strong focus on agriculture aims to drive transformative change, with key initiatives like the National Mission on High Yielding Seeds, expanded seed availability, and a push for cotton productivity. Recognizing biotechnology’s crucial role in this growth, experts convened to discuss its impact on boosting yields and farmer incomes.

The workshop, a collaborative effort by the University of Agricultural Sciences Raichur Karnataka, and Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), and supported by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) brought together renowned researchers and industry leaders to explore the critical role of biotechnology in developing crop varieties that are high-yielding, resilient to pests, diseases, and the impacts of climate change. The workshop was organised at the University of Agricultural Science, Raichur, Karnataka.

“The government’s push for technology-friendly reforms in the recent budget is a crucial step toward agricultural modernization. Bt cotton has already demonstrated the transformative potential of agricultural biotechnology in India. To fully realize this potential across a broader range of crops, it is imperative that we have a supportive regulatory environment at both central and state levels,” said Dr Vibha Ahuja, Chief General Manager, Biotech Consortium India Limited. “Emerging regulatory policies for agri-biotechnology must facilitate responsible innovation, building on the lessons learned from Bt cotton, while ensuring that farmers have access to improved seeds and technologies.”

Dr Ahuja’s highlighted the need for a robust regulatory framework to support the development and commercialization of biotech crops. Experts also emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and ensuring that the benefits of biotechnology reach smallholder farmers.

“GM crops, including the highly successful Bt cotton, have demonstrated their potential in ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity across the globe. Aligning with the government’s larger mission, the adoption of genetically modified crops in India can contribute significantly to improving yields, enhancing climate resilience, and ensuring food security,” said Dr Paresh Verma, Head AAI, Executive Director, Bioseeds Division, DCM Shriram Limited.

Additionally, he advocated for the integration of gene editing with modern agricultural technologies like precision agriculture. “With advancements in genetic engineering and gene editing, Indian agriculture stands at the cusp of a breakthrough that can enhance both productivity and sustainability. Leveraging these technologies alongside precision agriculture tools such as drones and data analytics will provide farmers with smarter, more efficient solutions to tackle climate challenges and pests,” he said.

Appreciating the efforts of FSII and BCIL, Dr M. Hanumanthappa, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur said, “The University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, is proud to host this workshop along with FSII & BCIL, which will serve as a platform to build consensus on the adoption of GM technology in Indian agriculture. With the government’s financial backing for precision agriculture and climate-resilient seeds, now is the time for the industry to collaborate and accelerate the deployment of these technologies to improve farmer livelihoods and strengthen national food security.”

Experts are expecting these insights to contribute significantly to the development and adoption of innovative seed technologies, ultimately empowering farmers and strengthening India’s agricultural sector.  The commitment to advancing biotechnology research and its application in Indian agriculture remains strong, with a clear focus on building a more prosperous and sustainable future for all stakeholders.

Experts discussed about crucial role of Public-Private

AgroPolicy, India, Interaction, Seeds

Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, was addressing conference organised by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII).

 Seed and agriculture experts called for enhancing collaborations for outcome-driven research, achieving self-reliance in oilseeds, cotton, and maize, implement IPR effectively to boost R&D investments. They also called for developing progressive trade policies to ensure a dynamic and future-ready agriculture sector, at a conference organised by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), an apex body of India’s seeds industry.

This conference was held as part of its 8th Annual General Meeting. Minister of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Surya Pratap Shahi, emphasised on the importance of creating an enabling environment for augmenting the agriculture sector through progressive trade policies and introduction of modern agricultural technologies. “Technology intervention is the key to bringing convenience and prosperity to our farmers. With Uttar Pradesh contributing a third of the nation’s wheat production, we recognise our state’s immense potential in the seed industry. Yogi Adityanath’s Government in UP seeks to establish a seed park and a common resource centre for advanced research with support of the private seed industry”, said the Minister Shahi.

Extending an invitation to the seed industry for investments in Uttar Pradesh, Shahi announced, “We are poised to establish a State-of-the-art seed park in Lucknow, spanning 200 acres. This initiative aims to provide our farmers with high-quality, high-yielding, and climate-resilient seed varieties, paving the way for enhanced productivity and prosperity of the farmers. We welcome insights and collaboration from all stakeholders and invite the seed industry for public-private partnership. Together, we will make India self-reliant in production of superior seeds, contributing to a resilient and prosperous agricultural future.”

Ajay Vir Jhakar, Chairman, Bharat Krishak Samaj, strongly advocated for deploying modern science and technology to address the challenges facing Indian agriculture. “It is important to ensure investments in agricultural R&D and ensure alignment between state and central governments to effectively leverage innovative technologies for the benefit of the farmers. Furthermore, strengthening extension system for promoting good agronomic practices that conserve natural resources and developing climate-resilient crops are essential for sustainable progress” he said.

With a renewed focus by the Government, India’s agricultural sector is currently undergoing a significant realignment to meet the evolving priorities outlined for Amrit Kaal, a period described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a time for transformative growth. The sector’s focus is shifting towards achieving self-reliance, streamlining agricultural research, increasing investments in sustainable technologies, and strengthening intellectual property frameworks. Experts highlighted emerging opportunities in seed technology and agri-business, which have the potential to revolutionize agricultural production.

Prof Vijay Paul Sharma, Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), Govt of India, emphasized, “Agriculture must shift from a subsistence model to a commercial, industry-oriented approach. As a country, we need to focus more on pulses and edible oilseeds, invest in research, and develop climate-resilient crop varieties. Our four-pillar strategy includes Technology deployment, Institutional mechanisms, Infrastructure development, and ensuring remunerative prices for the farmers. Mechanization and enhanced market infrastructure are crucial”.

Ajai Rana, Chairman of FSII and MD & CEO of Savannah Seeds, commented, “Creating an enabling environment for this transition requires the development of appropriate policies and institutions, an encouraging regulatory environment, and significant public and private investments in agriculture and agri-business. Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights is crucial to achieving these objectives, which will in turn support India’s goal of Viksit Bharat through inclusive development, green growth, and employment generation during Amrit Kaal.”

Strengthening agricultural research and embracing public-private partnerships (PPP) is essential for addressing climate change challenges and enhancing India’s agricultural resilience. Investing in advanced research will develop crop varieties with better drought tolerance, flood resistance, and improved nutrient efficiency, ensuring productivity and food security. Simultaneously, effective PPPs pool resources and expertise, driving innovation and creating a supportive environment for agricultural advancement. This collaboration bridges research gaps, streamlines technology transfer, and builds capacity, helping to achieve India’s ambitious agricultural goals and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of Agriculture, Government

AgroPolicy, India, R&D, Seeds, Textile industry

To enhance cotton production, a pilot project was initiated in 2023-2024, introducing technologies like HDPS, Closer Spacing planting, and Production technology for ELS cotton.

 India needs to focus on R&D and improved cultivation methods to meet the rising cotton demand in the textile industry at a time when the fiber crop is serving as a cornerstone in supporting the livelihoods of approximately 6 million farmers and an additional 40-50 million individuals involved in related activities, said Raghavan Sampathkumar, Executive Director, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII).

He pointed to what Chandrakant Patil, Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, wrote in an article recently highlighting that the country stands at the cusp of becoming a global textile powerhouse, with numerous states like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu spearheading policy initiatives to establish textile parks. The aim is to propel the industry towards a projected $250-billion in textile production by 2030. 

Sampathkumar said the textile industry is undergoing a significant transformation with initiatives like the PLI Scheme for Textiles, Kasturi Cotton Bharat program, National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), SAMARTH, and PM MITRA, development of 11 exclusive textile parks, strengthening the textile value chain through technological upgradation and so on. With over 45 million skilled workers, the textile sector is significant for employment and economic growth in India.

To boost India’s textile sector’s global competitiveness, promoting cotton cultivation is paramount as approximately 74 per cent of the apparel exported from India is made of cotton. Yet, with cotton being the primary source, there are key challenges and concerns that both the government and industry need to acknowledge and address, Sampathkumar said.

Firstly, the cotton industry requires revitalization through increased production and strengthening of the value chain. With the introduction of Bt Cotton, India saw a significant surge in cotton production from 10 to nearly 40 million bales annually between early 2000s and FY2014, transforming into a leading producer. Cotton production in India increased steadily and rather steeply from 2004-05 onwards primarily due to a sharp rise in yield. However, continuously evolving challenges of pests and diseases, weeds, salinity and soil degradation, and climate aberrations are causing stagnation post-FY2015, with production at 36.2 million bales in FY2022. Hence, the cotton industry in India is currently at crossroads and there is an imminent need to find innovative solutions through scientific research.

Research on pests particularly pink bollworm, several diseases, herbicide-tolerance enable more efficient control against these challenges, reducing manual labor and potentially increasing yields. All these present enormous opportunities for sustainable growth. However, to achieve the above, there should be an imperative on promoting new concepts like High Density Planting System, to increase yields and improve profitability. It’s crucial for both government and private sectors to collaborate in adopting and promoting innovative technologies to boost yield and farmers’ income, Sampathkumar added.

To enhance cotton production, a pilot project was initiated in 2023-2024, introducing technologies like High Density Planting System (HDPS), Closer Spacing planting, and Production technology for ELS cotton. HDPS has shown promising results, with Maharashtra farmers reporting a threefold yield increase. It involves denser sowing, boosting light interception, boll production, and yield while optimizing nutrient and water use and suppressing weed growth. Popularizing such practices will increase overall cotton production, realizing the state’s aspiration to drive the Indian textile industry’s growth story.

Biotechnological interventions are even more crucial amidst such pressing issues and can help improve cotton yield and production. Despite significant efforts by both the central and state governments and the advancements made possible by Bt-cotton, India’s seed sector in general but cotton in particular, grapples with numerous challenges. For example, public perception issues on genetically modified crops fueled by unfounded fear mongering are resulting in significant and prolonged delays, procedural complexities, and in ambiguity hindering investments in research and development. Without research, it must be noted that no solutions can ever be found, pointed Sampathkumar.

To surmount these challenges and move towards regaining India’s glory as a major global cotton producer, a cohesive effort is needed involving policymakers, scientists, farmers, and the industry players to come together to formulate robust unbiased policies, raise public awareness on science-based technologies, and promote sustainable agricultural cultivation methods. India should strengthen its research capabilities, with streamlined policies & regulations. Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial and by leveraging new technologies including biotechnology, and new systems like HDPS, India can enhance its cotton productivity and meet the growing demand for cotton for the textile industry.

To enhance cotton production, a pilot project