Hyderabad, July 9: Innovation-led research, science-based regulatory frameworks, climate-resilient technologies and deeper global collaboration will be central to strengthening India's seed ecosystem, enhancing agricultural productivity and positioning the country as a preferred global hub for seed trade and innovation, deliberated policymakers, scientists, industry leaders and international experts at ASSOCHAM's India Seed Trade & Innovation Summit 2026, organised at ICRISAT, Hyderabad.
Held under the theme "Advancing Global Seed Trade, Innovation & Sustainable Agriculture," the two-day summit had delegates from 24 countries, along with senior government representatives, policymakers, researchers, seed companies, agri-biotechnology firms, international organisations, academia and startups to deliberate on strategies for strengthening India's competitiveness in the global seed value chain through innovation, sustainability and international cooperation.
The summit was inaugurated by Mr. Sunil Sharma, Former Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana. The inaugural session featured the welcome address by Dr. Venkatram Vasantavada, Chair – Agriculture & Allied Sectors Council , ASSOCHAM and Managing Director & CEO, Seedworks International Limited, followed by the theme address by Dr. Vilas Tonapi, Consultant – R&D, Advanta Seeds and Former Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research. Special and keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. V. Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Kaveri University, and Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, respectively.
The deliberations underscored that strengthening India's seed ecosystem will require sustained investments in research and development, accelerated adoption of biotechnology and next-generation breeding technologies, stronger public-private partnerships, harmonised global regulatory frameworks and an enabling policy environment that promotes innovation while ensuring quality, sustainability and farmer welfare. Participants also emphasised that these efforts will be critical to advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, strengthening food security and enhancing India's leadership in global agriculture.
Mr. Sunil Sharma, Former Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, said:
"Agricultural innovation lies at the heart of national development and will shape India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. But the future of agriculture cannot be driven by government alone or by R&D or by the seed industry alone. It requires a shared commitment from farmers, researchers, policymakers, and the private sector. By combining traditional agriculture with modern science such as AI, we can build more resilient food systems, enhance productivity, and create a sustainable and prosperous future for everyone.”
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, said:
"While we have made significant progress, critical challenges around subsidies, access, and licensing continue to limit the pace and scale of impact. The next phase of agricultural transformation will depend on strong partnerships that move us beyond self-sufficiency towards climate resilience, improved nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods. ICRISAT is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge—bringing global innovations to India while enabling Indian technologies and solutions to benefit farmers and food systems across the developing world.”
Dr. Venkatram Vasantavada, Chair – Agriculture & Allied Sectors Council (AP & Telangana), ASSOCHAM and Managing Director & CEO, Seedworks International Limited, said:
“Every agricultural revolution begins with a seed. It is the foundation of food security, farmer prosperity, and sustainable development. As agriculture faces the challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and growing food demand, innovation in seed technology has become more important than ever before; and today, India has emerged as one of the world's leading seed markets, supported by a strong scientific community, progressive entrepreneurs, and robust public and private research institutions — with an opportunity not only to strengthen domestic agriculture but also to establish itself as a trusted global leader in seed innovation and trade."
The technical deliberations centred on strengthening international seed trade and market access, enhancing India's export competitiveness, accelerating the adoption of biotechnology, digital agriculture and precision breeding technologies, safeguarding intellectual property, promoting climate-resilient crop development and fostering innovation through startups, research institutions and industry partnerships. Experts highlighted the need for greater convergence between science, policy and industry to enable a resilient and globally competitive seed ecosystem.
The summit also marked the release of a Knowledge Report, prepared by Grant Thornton Bharat in association with ASSOCHAM, outlining strategic recommendations to strengthen India's global competitiveness in the seed sector. The report presents perspectives on emerging trends in global seed trade, technological advancements, regulatory priorities and policy interventions required to build an innovation-driven and future-ready seed ecosystem.
The second day of the event will deliberate on Public-Private Partnerships in Seed Research & Innovation and Regulatory Readiness for Next-Generation Seed Technologies. Discussions will focus on strengthening collaborative research ecosystems, promoting science-based regulatory frameworks, encouraging greater investment in seed research and innovation, and advancing regulatory preparedness for emerging technologies, including gene-edited crops, while ensuring safety, sustainability and global regulatory convergence.
The event also featured the Seed Excellence Awards, recognising organisations and individuals for their exemplary contributions to seed research, technological innovation, sustainable agricultural development and excellence across the seed value chain. The awards aim to acknowledge best practices that are driving innovation and competitiveness within India's seed industry.
The event has witnessed participation from leading organisations and exhibitors including Advanta Seeds, Seedworks International Limited, Federation of Seed Industry of India , CIMMYT, World Vegetable Center, Nuziveedu Seeds, Crystal Crop Protection, Shriram Bioseed Genetics, East-West Seed, along with several research institutions, agri-businesses, technology companies and international delegates, reinforcing India's growing prominence as a global destination for seed innovation and collaboration.
The deliberations reaffirmed that sustained policy support, scientific advancement, innovation-led growth and stronger international partnerships will be essential to building a resilient, globally competitive seed ecosystem capable of driving agricultural transformation, ensuring long-term food security and positioning India as a global leader in seed innovation and sustainable agriculture.