Overview
Seeds decide yield and quality more than any other input. India has a large public seed system (ICAR, state agricultural universities, seed corporations) and a strong private hybrid seed industry in cotton, maize, vegetables, rice and millets.
How It Works in Practice
Hybrid seed now covers almost all of India's cotton and maize and most commercial vegetables, while wheat, rice, pulses and oilseeds still rely largely on improved open-pollinated varieties whose seed farmers can save. Public institutes release new varieties every year, and state seed corporations multiply them for sale.
Rules and Support
Farmers buy certified and truthfully labelled seed from dealers, cooperatives and state seed corporations. Seed quality is regulated under the Seeds Act, and the PPV&FR Act protects plant varieties and farmers' rights.
What It Means for Farmers and Traders
For traders and processors, seed matters because it decides the grain or fruit type they buy: basmati varieties decide grain length, potato varieties decide chip quality, and onion varieties decide storage life. Many processors therefore supply seed to contract farmers.
Companies, Bodies and Schemes
- Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Pvt Ltd)JalnaAboutExplore
- Nuziveedu Seeds LtdHyderabadAboutExplore
- Kaveri Seed Company LtdSecunderabadAboutExplore
- Rasi Seeds Pvt LtdAtturAboutExplore
- Namdhari Seeds Pvt LtdBengaluruAboutExplore
- East-West Seed India Pvt LtdVegetable seedsAboutExplore
- VNR Seeds Pvt LtdRaipurAboutExplore
- Syngenta India Pvt LtdPuneAboutExplore
- National Seeds CorporationPublic seed producerAboutExplore
Related: All inputs, services and schemes · All crops
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