Gadwal, V.R.
(2003)
The Indian seed industry: Its history,
current status and future.
Current Sciencee, 84 (3).
pp. 399-406.
![[img]](http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/14282/1.hassmallThumbnailVersion/CurrentScience_84_3_399-406_2003.pdf)  Preview |
|
PDF
- Published Version
| Preview
|
Abstract
SEED is the most important input component for productive
agriculture. In the significant advances that India
made in agriculture in the last four decades, the role of
the seed sector has been substantial. The expansion of
seed industry has occurred in parallel with growth in
agricultural productivity. Given the fact that sustained
growth to cope with increasing demand would depend
more and more on the pace of development and adoption
of innovative technologies, the seed would continue to be
a vital component for decades to come. The organized
seed industry of the country is just forty years old. Yet,
its growth has been phenomenal. India is one of the few
countries where the seed sector is already reasonably
advanced1. The private seed industry is no more confined
to just production and marketing of seed. It has as well
acquired technological strength to cater to the varietal
needs of tomorrow.
The Indian seed industry is currently valued around
Rs 2500 crores ($ 500 million) and is proposed2 to be
around 3750 crores ($ 750 million) by 2002. There are
about 150 organized seed companies in India today.
Several companies have Government of India (DSIR)
recognized research and development departments and
have produced and released a large number of varieties
and hybrids in several crops. The contribution of private
research in terms of value is steadily increasing. The
share of research hybrids in total turnover of crops like
pearl millet, sorghum-sudan grass, sunflower, maize,
sorghum and cotton was about 70% in 1997–98 compared
to 46% in 1990–91. Private R&D’s real investment
in research has quadrupled between 1986 and 1998.
Subsidiaries and joint ventures with multinational companies
account for 30% of all private seed industry research3.
A study made over nine private seed companies indicates
that the amount spent on R&D ranged from 0.78%
(0.49 crores) to 15.08% (22.62 crores) (Companies Annual
Reports 1998–99). Some of the companies initiated the
work on development of transgenic crops. In March 2002
the first transgenic hybrid cotton seed was allowed for
commercial cultivation in the farmer’s field.
This article provides a historical perspective to the
development of seed industry in India, its current statusand future. Besides, some suggestions are also provided
for improvement and modification in the regulatory procedures,
particularly in case of transgenic crops.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Seed, Agricultural Productivity,Industry,Technologies, Development, |
| Author Affiliation: |
Agri-Consultant, 4, Bhupali Apts, Ram Maruti Road, Thane 400 602, India |
| Subjects: |
Crop Improvement > Seed Technology |
| Divisions: |
General |
| Depositing User: |
Mr T L Gautham
|
| Date Deposited: |
22 Apr 2016 10:42 |
| Last Modified: |
12 Jun 2017 09:35 |
| URI: |
http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/14282 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
