The National Seed Association of India (NSAI) represents the top seed companies, particularly cotton seed producers, in the country. The industry is at a cross roads, facing severe challenges in the agrarian, regulatory and policy spaces. In this backdrop, it is organising the ninth edition of Indian Seed Congress-2019 in Hyderabad on March 11 and 12. NSAI President M Prabhakara Rao speaks on the issues, challenges and opportunities. Excerpts:

What are the key challenges that the seed industry is facing now?

The regulation of the seed businesses is not in harmony with the Central legislation. The Seed Act, Seed (Control) Order and the rules thereunder are framed by the Union government. However, licensing and regulation are under the domain of the States. Different State governments are coming up with different requirements, leading to difficulties in obtaining licences and marketing permissions, creating hassles to the members.

There is also an issue with patents on genes. We see curtailment of the rights of breeders granted under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act in the name of patent for genes of genetically modified crops. This has been in litigation, despite clarity in the legislation. The NSAI has been fighting for this and achieved significant progress in the last three years.

What do you think is the solution?

We have been asking for harmonisation of regulatory provisions, such as licensing and variety permission across the country. Presence of an organised sector in large numbers is beneficial to the farmers as it enhances quality seed availability and reduces scope for illegal operators. Regulatory bodies such as the Department of Biotechnology and the GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee) need to adopt procedures and processes in line with the legislative provisions. The approvals of new plant varieties with genetically-modified (GM) traits is expected to be continued in line with the letter and spirit of Intellectual Property Rights laws. This will result in the growth of the seed industry with fair and free competition to benefit farmers.

With pink bollworm developing resistance to Bollgard-II, what are the options available for farmers? Should they go back to non-GM seeds or do they have options left in the GM space?

The first generation Bollgard-I lost efficacy to pink bollworm around 2009, and the second generation in 2015. Roughly, it has taken 6-7 years for the insect to develop resistance to a newer technology. If we bring a third gene, it may also lose efficacy in 5-6 years. As such, the expression levels of the new available genes is not as good as the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2, and therefore the new genes — even if they are brought in quickly — may not offer lasting resistance to pink bollworm.

It is pertinent to note that by adopting appropriate crop management practices, farmers are able to manage pink bollworm, albeit with a higher cost of cultivation in the last 2-3 years.

World over, reports suggest that herbicide tolerant (HT) cotton results in health issues, and public pressure is growing against its use. Do you think it should be made available in India?

I believe HT trait in any crop is not welcome in India based on observations by very eminent agricultural experts such as M S Swaminathan. The HT based on Glyphosate has become controversial as reported across the world. The NSAI fully supports the elimination of HT cotton from India and suggested measures to control the same to both the Centre and States.

For long the industry is talking on the opportunity in the hybrid rice space. Could it crack this opportunity? What’s the progress in this area?

Hybrid rice is increasing slowly in certain areas in the central and eastern parts of the country. From experience, it appears it will be confined to this area, and may grow at a slow pace. Even in China, it appears there is no more expansion of hybrid rice area. Moreover, variety improvement in rice is encouraging, providing better options to farmers in yield, disease and pest resistance and grain quality.

Cotton seed has dominated the seed industry for long. What are the opportunities available in the non-cotton segment? How is this space shaping up (in terms of volumes and value)?

Crops such as corn, mustard, and open-pollinated seed business in rice, wheat, soybean and groundnut are offering tremendous opportunities to the seed industry. Cotton in terms of value has come down due to price regulation. Unless the government increases the minimum support price of cotton seed, research and development activity may get hit, and farmers may suffer due to lack of appropriate hybrids and also due to shortage of seeds.

How mature is the Indian seed industry in tapping the international opportunity? Which are the markets that offer promise?

We believe there is tremendous growth opportunity for the seed industry internationally. The matured industry in India can definitely focus on seed markets in Asia, Africa and East Europe.

What’s the status of the seed industry now?

The industry size is estimated at about ₹20,000 crore a year and is growing at 7-8 per cent annually, due to the healthy trend of farmers choosing quality seeds produced by the organised sector. The seed replacement rates are increasing rapidly. With over 500 members, the NSAI represents about 75 per cent of the industry.

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