India Poised to Become $970 Million Global Vegetable Seed Hub by 2030, Driven by Innovation and Policy Reform

26 July 2025, New Delhi: With the global vegetable seed market projected to grow beyond $8.45 billion in 2024, India is emerging as a strong contender to become a major global hub—provided it capitalizes on its R&D strengths, regulatory reform, and agro-climatic diversity. At a national conference held in New Delhi, senior government officials, scientists, and industry leaders projected that the Indian vegetable seed market could expand from $740 million in 2023–24 to $970 million by 2030, clocking a CAGR of 4.6%, if policy bottlenecks are effectively addressed.

The conference, titled “Role of Vegetable Seed Sector in Making India a Global Seed Hub”, was organized by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and brought together key stakeholders to discuss how India can lead the next phase of global seed trade through science, scale, and strategic policymaking.

Government Sees Vegetable Seeds as Strategic Growth Engine

Dr. P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner at the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, underlined the shift in India’s horticulture sector: “India’s rise in horticulture, especially in vegetable production, is driven by rich germplasm, diverse agro-ecologies, strong R&D, and growing private sector investments. Horticulture has moved from the margins to the mainstream, but our export potential remains largely underutilized.”

Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (Seeds), reiterated the government’s commitment to turning India into a seed export powerhouse. “We are streamlining seed licensing, digitizing systems with platforms like SATHI, and investing in modern seed processing and testing infrastructure. These reforms will ensure QR-code-enabled traceability, reduce spurious inputs, and improve farmers’ access to high-quality certified seeds,” he said.

Export Potential Undermined by Regulatory Bottlenecks

India currently exports around $120 million worth of vegetable seeds annually, mainly to markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. However, trade experts believe this could easily double or triple if the regulatory environment is reformed. A backlog of over 100 Pest Risk Analyses (PRAs) pending since 2016 is reportedly holding up trade worth $55 million.

“India’s seed sector is at a turning point,” said Rajvir Rathi, Vice Chairman of FSII and Director at Bayer CropScience Ltd. “A ‘One Nation, One Licence’ model, a digital single-window export system, and longer license durations are essential for ease of doing business. Our domestic policy and export readiness must move in tandem.”

Innovation and Collaboration Key to Unlocking Growth

The conference spotlighted India’s competitive edge in hybrid seed development and its dynamic public-private research ecosystem. Over 300 companies operate in the formal vegetable seed sector, accounting for 80–85% of the market value and collectively investing over $200 million annually in R&D.

Speakers emphasized that India’s agro-climatic diversity, low production costs, and skilled scientific talent give it a unique advantage in meeting global seed demand. Furthermore, increased use of hybrid and biotech seeds could dramatically enhance both productivity and nutritional outcomes.

Socio-Economic and Nutritional Impact

Beyond trade and productivity, the vegetable seed sector has significant developmental implications. It sustains over 100,000 direct jobs, strengthens rural livelihoods through year-round employment, and supports women farmers across the value chain. Nutritionally enhanced vegetables also play a critical role in combating hidden hunger, delivering vital micronutrients to millions.

Also Read: India’s Biostimulant Sector Faces Regulatory Breakdown: BASAI Calls for Urgent Government Action

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