1. The Seed & Biotech Industry: Past, Present & Future ByM Prabhakar RaoPresident, NSAI 1

2. Phenomenal Progress in Agriculture India made phenomenal progress in agricultural sector in thepost-independent era. Food grain production increased from a mere 50 milliontonnes to over 227 million tones in the last six decades. Production increased by 11 times in Wheat, 4 times in Rice. Cotton production increased by 11 times. Oil seed production increased by 5 times. Though production index (total food produced per land area)has risen considerably, the food index (food produced perperson) has not increased proportionately.2 3. Agriculture Production & Quality SeedDistributionYearFood GrainCotton Oil Seeds QualityProductionProductionProductionseeds(million tonnes) (million bales(milliondistributed tonnes) (lakh qtls)1950-5150.82 3.045.16 -1960-6182.02 5.606.98 -1970-71 108.42 4.769.63 5.01980-81 129.59 7.019.37 35.01990-91 176.39 9.84 18.6157.102000-01 195.92 9.65 18.4085.442007-08 227.30 31.0028.82110.00 3 4. Role of Seed Industry Seed sector made impressive progress over the last five decades. Quantity of quality seeds handled crossed 100 lakh qtls as against 1 lakhqtls in the 60s Growth of food grain production and seed production happenedsimultaneously, clearly establishing linkage between the two anddependence of agricultural production on quality seed production andavailability. Seed is the only vehicle to carry superior genetics with high yield potentialand biotech traits to the farmer. Technology delivery to both small and big farmers through seed is themost convenient and effective way (as compared to other productivityenhancing inputs like fertilizers, irrigation etc). Seed offers low cost - easy to deliver, solutions for raising the cropproductivity.4 5. The establishment and growth of seed industry Seed Industry was primarily in public sector in 60s and 70s. From 70s onwards, participation of private sector strengthened theseed industry. In the beginning, public sector was instrumental in bringing inhybrid seed production technology, seed certification systems, seedprocessing, testing methods and quality control. Subsequently, private sector took over and made spectacularprogress in the supply of quality seed. Seed Industry in India has grown largely on Indigenous technology.5 6. The establishment and growth of seed industry (Contd...) Crop research institutes of the ICAR and the State AgriculturalUniversities were sources of technology for the seed companies ininitial stages until 1980. Subsequently, several large private seed companies took up in-housebreeding activities and developed excellent hybrids in the crops likeCotton, Maize, Jowar, Sunflowers, Bajra etc. The development of hybrids is largely based on indigenousgermplasm except in Corn and some vegetable crops. The Biotech traits like Bt Cotton were brought into India by theprivate sector which contributed significantly to the yield increasesin cotton.6 7. Present Status There are two Govt. of India organizations ie., National SeedsCorporation (NSC) and State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI)and 14 State Seed Corporations (SSC). There are estimated to be 500 private seed companies operating atvarious levels. Total value of seeds sold in India is estimated at Rs. 5,000 Crores. Private sector seed companies account for about 90% of the totalvalue of the seed distributed. 7 8. Present StatusContd..Hybrid Seeds In the several important crops hybrid seeds have contributed a lot inimproving yields, quality and pest / disease resistance. S. No Crop % of hybrid seed Estimated Value usage(Rs. In Crores)1Cotton 8018702Maize55 6903Bajra80 1504Sunflower1002505Rice3 1906Veg crops like Chillies, Bhendi, Tomato, Cabbage, Cauliflower, - 250 Brinjal8 9. Present StatusContd.. Extension activities taken up by the Seed Industry Seed companies take up extension of appropriate crop productiontechnologies particularly in case of hybrid seeds so that the farmersharness the full genetic potential by adopting proper agronomicpractices.Ex: (i) Bt Cotton Closer spacing and increase of plantpopulation on account of change in the landarchitecture hasresulted in increase in productivity by 100 150%9 10. Present Status Contd..Extension activities taken up by the Seed Industry(ii) Hybrid Maize High density planting, Yield increase up to 70- 100%(iii)Hybrid Rice - Reduced seed rate (Also benefitting OPV users)(iv)Hybrid Tomato - Staking for 4 5 time higher yields.(v) Introduction of seed treatments in Cotton, Maize, Sunflower,Bajra to provide ease of cultivation to the farmer.10 11. Future Thrust Areas in Agriculture The food grain production needs to be increased faster than thedemand, for the food security of the country. Technologies to produce crops with less water, less fertilizer andother inputs is the need of the hour. Enhancing disease and pest tolerance to reduce application ofchemicals and minimizing production risks to the farmers. Breed crops to enable farmers practice sustainable agriculture. Technologies to reduce use of human labour and enablemechanization in agriculture.11 12. Rice In Rice, increasing usage of hybrids from the present 3%to a level of at least 25% can contribute an additional 25million tones of Rice production. All the area under hybrids now is in Central part of thecountry around Uttar Pradesh. The industry is working overtime to develop suitable Ricehybrids for the South, East and Northern parts of thecountry. 12 13. Other Major Crops In crops like Wheat, Mustard, Redgram (Arhar) also thereis potential to develop hybrids and industry is spendinghuge financial and human resources for breeding hybridsin these crops which may be launched in the next fewyears. The Introduction of the hybrids in these crops canenhance the yields @ 10% per annum. 13 14. Impact of Biotechnology The introduction of Bt Cotton in India has seen thecotton production increased from 140 Lakh bales to 310Lakh bales in five years. India is poised to become the largest cotton producer inthe world surpassing China in the next 5 years. There are several technologies that can revolutionizeagricultural production impacting other major crops likeMaize, Soybean, Rice etc.14 15. Current Research in Biotechnology There are several technologies which are mostly addressing pest anddisease problems at various stages of development which are likelyto make a great impact on Indian agriculture. Biotech Crops under regulatory process in India, 2007S. NoCrop OrganizationTransgene IARI, New Delhicry1Aa and cry1Aabc Sungrow Seeds Ltd, New Delhi cry1Ac Mahyco, Mumbai cry1Ac1 BrinjalTNAU, Coimbatore2 Cabbage Nunhems India Pvt Ltd cry1Ba and cry1Ca Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR),3 Castor Hyderabadcry1Aa and cry1EcCauliflowe Sungro Seeds Ltd, New Delhicry1Ac, cry1Ba and cry1Ca4 rNunhems India Pvt Ltdcry1Ac, cry1Ba and cry1Cacry1Ab gene (MON 810 event)5 Corn Monsanto, Mumbai Herbicide resistance15 16. Current Research in Biotechnology Biotech Crops under regulatory process in India, 2007S. NoCrop Organization Transgene6 GroundnutICRISAT, Hyderabadchitinase gene from rice (Rchit)7 Okra Mahyco, Mumbaicry1Ac, cry2Ab Central Potato Research Institute 8Potato (CPRI), ShimlaRB gene derived from Solanum bulbocastanum IARI, New Delhi cry1B-cry1Aa fusion gene Mahyco, Mumbaicry1Ac, cry2Ab 9Rice TNAU, Coimbatorerice chitinase (chi11) or tobacco osmotin gene antisense replicase gene of tomoto leaf curl IARI, New Delhi virus 10 Tomato Mahyco, Mumbaicry1Ac 11 Cotton MMBL, Mumbai RR Flex for herbicide resistance16 17. Future Biotech technologies Agri biotech technologies under various stages of developmentglobally that would impact Indian agriculture.c) Crops resistant to drought and other environmental stresses like salinityd) Crops engineered for Nitrogen use efficiency.e) Crops engineered to produce pharmaceuticals such as vaccines and anti biotics.f) Crops engineered for industrial uses like enhanced starch content, useful enzymes, higher biofuel efficacy.g) Crops with Nutritional enhancement.h) Crops with herbicide resistance for enabling low till / mechanized agriculture17 18. The Industry Views There is a great potential for raising productivity of all themajor crops in India. Seed industry can contribute substantially towards thisgoal by not only providing quality seeds but also throughextension of production techniques. The cost benefit ratio on the money spent on seeds is veryhigh as compared to the other options for raising cropproductivity like fertilizers, irrigation etc. Seed prices in India are reasonable and affordable to thefarmers and therefore there is no necessity for Govt.intervention.18 19. What the Govt. can do The research and extension efforts of the seed companiesneed to be recognized and encouraged by the Govt. Launching of technology mission to encourage R&D,enhance seed production and distribution. To devise Seed Crop Insurance Scheme to cover the riskof seed growing farmers taking into consideration variousaspects of seed productions. Establishment of Seed Banks. 19 20. The support sought by seed industry Grant of infrastructure status to seed industry. Availability of soft loans for capital investment andworking capital. Creation of a corpus fund for acquiring agribiotechnologies globally and make them available to thefarmers by distributing / licensing through the seedcompanies. Inclusion of labelled seeds of the private sector seedcompanies in centrally sponsored seed distributionschemes of Govt. of India 20 21. The support sought by seed industryContd.. Extending production and distribution subsidies to theprivate sector for their privately bred varieties / hybrids. Creation of enabling environment for the seed industry togrow and perform. NSAI through its members is set to achieve much needed growth in Agri-Productivity for the benefit of millions of Indian Farmers and to ensure Nations Food Security.21 22. THANK YOU22