At Asian Seed Congress 2025, Agriculture Minister Urges Private Sector to Make Quality Seeds Affordable for Indian Farmers
18 November 2025, Mumbai: Union Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhaninaugurated the Asian Seed Congress 2025 in Mumbai today, making a strong appeal to the seed industry to ensure that quality seeds become affordable and accessible for India’s farmers. The event also witnessed the unveiling of the official logo and the announcement of this year’s theme: “Sowing the Seeds of Prosperity through Quality Seeds.”
In his inaugural address, the Minister emphasised that the government’s foremost goals are to secure the nation’s food supply, provide nutritious food, and ensure that farming remains a viable and profitable enterprise. He highlighted the government’s continued efforts to raise per-hectare productivity, expand the availability of high-quality seeds, and reduce production costs for farmers.
Chouhan underlined that institutions like ICAR and state agricultural universities are advancing research to develop bio-fortified and climate-resilient crop varieties to combat malnutrition and withstand emerging climate stresses. However, he stressed that this progress is incomplete without strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Calling attention to the high prices of privately marketed seeds, the Minister said that a large portion of India’s farmers belong to economically weaker groups and struggle to afford these seeds. He urged private companies to revisit pricing models to ensure that no farmer is deprived of quality planting material due to cost barriers.
He added that if farmers are provided seeds that do not need to be replaced every year, a major financial burden on the rural community would be alleviated. At the same time, he issued a stern warning against the distribution of poor-quality seeds with low germination, stating that strict action will be taken against those involved in malpractice or illegal trade.
The Minister encouraged all stakeholders to actively use the SATHI Portal, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and reiterated that developing varieties suited to India’s 15 agro-climatic zones—resistant to drought, heat stress, and pests—is critical for future food security. He informed the gathering about two genome-edited rice varieties that promise 19–40% higher productivity, require less water, and contribute to lower carbon emissions.
Addressing seed producers directly, the Minister called for greater investment in coarse grain research, faster introduction of new seed technologies, and a review of high testing costs, assuring that the government is ready to work jointly with the private sector to streamline regulatory processes.
Leaders from major seed associations also spoke during the event. N. Prabhakar Rao, Chairman of the National Seed Association of India (NSAI), described the Congress as a vital forum for addressing the dynamic challenges of the seed sector. Ajay Rana, Chairman of FSII, and Take WahKoh, President of APSA, are serving as co-chairs of the 2025 Congress.
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