Two-day Seed Congress opens in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The two-day Indian Seed Congress (ISC) 2011 is likely to create a platform for domestic seed companies to explore business development opportunities with global firms. The event, starting here on Tuesday, will attract 700 delegates including 50 foreign delegates from 14 countries to deliberate on free market principles and to streamline the deregulation process of a new breed of crops.

“The Indian seed industry has become the fifth largest in the world with an estimated value of `8,000 crore and an annual growth rate of 12 to 13 per cent,” said M Harish Reddy, Convener, ISC 2011.

He added that the industry has been playing a vital role in uplifting the socio-economy of rural India. Currently, it employs over eight lakh, mostly in rural India while the agricultural yield is incremented by at least 25 per cent to 40 per cent as a result of better and superior genetics in seeds.

With a focal theme — Partners in Agricultural Growth — the event is likely to showcase how the Indian seed industry in active partnership with all, has been driving the agriculture growth of the country.

It will also include technical sessions to discuss the recent advancements in seed technology, industry needs, Research & Development and government policy.

Participants would also analyze the constraints in delivering quality seeds to the farmer besides preparing a roadmap for the sector’s future growth.

On the other hand, the trading sessions will help explore business opportunities and showcase products and technologies in seed and allied areas.

“The National Seed Association of India (NSAI), which is the apex body of Indian seed industry. is organizing the second edition of the Indian Seed Congress at a time when the seed industry is in a transition phase and confronted with several challenges due to technological impetus of biotech crops and competition from MNCs.  The conference intends to deliberate on impending legislation and policies that impact seed industry, take stock of new and emerging technologies and review our technological preparedness,” said G V Bhaskar Rao, Chairman, National Organizing Committee, ISC 2011.