Who we are
Indian agriculture has come a long way since the Green Revolution of the late 1960s. Today's India I presents an interesting scenario: both GDP and food grain production in the country have risen faster than the growth in population over the last 50 years. But the situation is becoming more challenging due to impending climate change and is confounded with the dilemma of meeting growing demand for food, which is likely to increase by 75% by 2050. This onus thus will fall on SEEDS. Therefore, the focus of the 2nd Green Revolution or the so called “Evergreen Revolution” should be seeds, the most critical of all farm inputs in agricultural production holding the key for increased productivity. High quality seeds coupled with biotechnology and other crop improvement technologies, offer tremendous opportunity for improving the productivity of Indian Agriculture.
Indian seed Industry is one of the most mature and vibrant ones in the world currently occupying the 6th position. Indian seed industry is undergoing wide ranging transformation including increased role of private seed companies, entry of MNCs, joint ventures of Indian companies with multinational seed companies and consolidations. With a domestic seed market size of about Rs 20,000 crore, India has a huge potential to become a global supplier of hybrid seeds, especially vegetables, field crops and flowers. Besides Fruits & Vegetable Seed which is already a high growth Industry, seeds of hybrid corn, paddy, pearl millet and cotton have promising exports prospects in Asian and African countries.
The global seed market @ $66 billion in 2018 is projected to reach 100 billion USD in next 5 years. India has one of the most robust seed industries, driven by R&D and innovation, with around 500 big and small companies and market size @ $ billion, projected to reach $5 billion by 2024. India has got humongous seeds export opportunity. However, the industry faces several issues from policies and technologies to trade that need redressal for it to unlock its full potential to partner in the farm prosperity of the Asian and African nations. India enjoys geographical centrality, genetic strengths and vastly diverse agro-climatic conditions supporting cultivation of wide range of agronomic and horticultural crops. India has a big potential for hybrid seed production, especially of high value vegetable seeds at a cheaper cost compared with other countries.
The country with its diverse agro-climatic zones, skilled human resources and enterprise offers opportunity for diverse seed production for exports, especially that of high value open pollinated vegetables, field crops and flower seeds. India is one of the world leaders in hybrid seed production. ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Myanmar present a ready market for Indian seed exports.. Africa is opening up in a big way for Indian seed exports. The agro climatic conditions of India and the rich biodiversity offers excellent opportunities for India to become a leading seed exporter for Asian and African markets to begin with.
The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture as the apex policy and trade facilitation body with an objective to bring in proactive cooperation and coordination across all the stake holders from seed industry for converging all efforts to bring in the transformational changes needed to boost seed export from India has constituted India Seed Trade Board to engage major seed companies and other key stakeholders to expand Brand India Seed globally and help companies to tap exports market aggressively with the support system provided by ICFA India Seed Trade Board.
A trade board is an institutional response to the fundamental problem of achieving self-coordinating market order in the trade of seeds and other agricultural commodities. ICFA strongly believes that setting up of India Seed Trade Board can provide the necessary institutional frame-work for performing different functions that serve to intensify and promote exports of seeds. Supported by ICFA promoted India Agri Exports Council, the board will contribute significantly towards realizing the vision of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of achieving $100 billion Agro Exports by 2025. The Board will provide India with an immense potential to assert a strong presence in the global market
Vision
To stimulate sustainable national and international collaborations across all the stakeholders engaged in the seed sector towards robust growth to produce better crops for a better quality of life and for global food and nutrition security.
Mission
To serve as a national platform for interfacing in all matters concerning the R&D, IPR, development, regulation, marketing and movement of seed to create conducive environment for global trade of seed and promotion of Indian seed industry backed by adequate advocacy and policy support leading to a enhanced seeds exports and a vibrant agrarian economy.
Objectives
The Seed Trade Board aims at achieving the following specific objectives:
- To develop a vibrant seed sector, fuel technology based growth and contribute to the competitiveness of the seed industry by promoting and supporting innovation infrastructure, development and investment opportunities
- To offer investors, venture funds, investment companies and other key finance intermediaries a first-hand insight into Indian seed companies which aspire to expand their businesses internationally
- To diversify the seed export basket, destinations and boost high value seed exports
- To help making advances in developing more nutritious and climate-resilient varieties, shaping business models around the needs of smallholder farmers, developing improved varieties of seed, offering better nutritional value and supporting crop diversity
- To represent the interests of the key stakeholders at the national level via holding meetings and interactions between the public & private sector to discuss common issues
- To create conducive policy environment for seed industry to help foster partnerships on innovation and infrastructure
- Promote the establishment and protection of intellectual property rights for seeds, plant varieties and associated technologies.
Activities
- Organize technical seminars, conferences, seed summits, conclaves, trade events and business dialogues across the globe to promote Indian Seed Industry
- Knowledge Dissemination through magazines, news mailers, seed outlook reports and other publications to provide policy, technical and trade related information and to position Indian seed industry globally.
- Policy advocacy by engaging with Government, Industry, Academia, Research Institutions and services agencies to further the interest of seed industry and exporters and enabling the favorable policy environment to promote trade
- Translating policy frameworks into programs at the country level through technical assistance and channelize support by the Government that helps build national capabilities.
- To collaborate and build partnerships with major national and international organizations with a view to promote exports and investments in the seed sector.
- Undertaking Industry surveys, market studies and market research programs to disseminate the trends on the production, certification and marketing of seeds among the key stakeholders.
- To facilitate the adoption of certification and regulatory procedures in harmony with internationally accepted standards to expedite exports.
- Liaise as appropriate with other regional and international organizations, regulatory bodies, government institutions concerned with seed sector
Functions
India Seed Trade Board is being constituted to ensure a continuous dialogue with Government, Industry, Academia, R&D Institutions and other key stakeholders on measures for providing an International Seed trade enabling environment in the country and to create a framework for making the States active partners in boosting India's Seed Export business. The following functions will be undertaken by India Seed Trade Board:
- To provide a unique platform for key stakeholders namely Central & State Governments, seed companies, seed production bodies, services agencies and Institutions for articulating their perspectives on raising awareness, capacity building, policy formulations, promotion and export of seeds from India.
- To stay abreast with the ever-changing commercial environment and to act as coordinator to increase production, consumption and marketing of seeds on global platforms.
- To suggest suitable policy framework for improving the export of seeds.
- To study the strategic interventions in line with prevailing export requirements so as to provide a boost to seed exports from India
- To undertake programs for promoting seed trade, including policy and regulatory support, registrations and approvals and quality testing support in different countries by international and local laisioning and collaborations
- To assist and encourage research, education, and extension activities to improve the competitiveness of Indian seeds in the global market.
- To evolve suitable quality standards and ensure proper certification in harmony with international standards to facilitate exports
- To undertake the regulations governing the certification and export of seeds from India in accordance with the specified global standards.
Team Members
The India Seed Trade Board will consist of 25 Members:
- 10 members to represent the seed industry
- 3 members from seed associations
- 2 members from seed research institutions
- 3 progressive seed producing farmers
- 4 Government officials
- 3 members from agencies and institutions
Support from key Organisations
As ICFA has entered into strategic collaborations with key institutions such as ICAR, APEDA, Nafed, NITI Ayog, International Trade Centre, GlobalG.A.P, ISU Seed Centre, Des Moines and a host of other important institutions, nationally and globally, ISTB can leverage upon their support. ISTB will also initiate for recognition and support from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture in due course.
Membership
India Seed Trade Board invites all the key stakeholders of the seed sector to be a part of this vibrant platform which will provide a unique opportunity to represent on the global arena for articulating your perspectives on promotion and export of seeds.
ISTB will provide excellent opportunities to its members to develop a wide range of international contacts through its annual event “World Seed Summit” that helps them promote business and ease trade. Our members will include private and public enterprises, representatives from government, Academic & Research institutions and National & International associations.
Membership Categories
ISTB Corporate Board Member - INR 3.0 lacs for joining and INR 50,000 annually
- Representation on ISTB Board for 3 years
- Invitation for participation in high level delegations to and from India to other countries
- 25% discounted rates for delegation fee, international tours, events and sponsorship
- Latest statistical information on seed trade, and free access to technical reports
- Special rates for participation in exclusive Training Programs/ Lectures/Interactive Sessions/ Workshops/ Seminars and meetings organized by ISTB
- Participation in ISTB stalls in international fairs, trade delegations to various importing countries
- Priority Invitations to all interactions, summits and meetings hosted by ISTB
- Avail of free listing in ISTB Directory and receive it complementary
- Exclusive access to relevant information and contact details of other ISTB Members.
- Speaker slot in one relevant session of ISTB annual event “World Seed Summit
- Special coverage in quarterly / half yearly magazine of ISTB which will include articles by eminent national and international experts (circulated free to members)
- Special rates for advertising in ISTB quarterly / half yearly magazine to expand the reach of your products and technology to a wider market
Corporate Executive Member - INR 1,25,000 for joining and INR 25,000 annually
- Invitation for participation in high level delegations to and from India to other countries
- 15% discounted rates for delegation fee, international tours, events and sponsorship
- Latest statistical information on seed trade, and free access to technical reports
- Special rates for participation in exclusive Training Programs/ Lectures/Interactive Sessions/ Workshops/ Seminars and meetings organized by ISTB
- Special rates for participation in ISTB stalls in international fairs, trade delegations to various importing countries
- Priority Invitations to all interactions, summits and meetings hosted by ISTB
- Exclusive access to contact details of other ISTB Members
- Speaker slot in one relevant session of ISTB annual event “World Seed Summit
- Special coverage in quarterly / half yearly magazine of ISTB which will include articles by eminent national and international experts (circulated free to members)
Corporate / Institutional Member - INR 50,000 for joining and INR 10,000 annually
- Invitation for participation in high level delegations to and from India to other countries
- 10% discounted rates for delegation fee, international tours, events and sponsorship
- Latest statistical information on seed trade, and free access to technical reports
- Special rates for participation in exclusive Training Programs/ Lectures/Interactive Sessions/ Workshops/ Seminars and meetings organized by ISTB
- Special rates for participation in ISTB stalls in international fairs, trade delegations to various importing countries
- Priority Invitations to all interactions, summits and meetings hosted by ISTB
- Exclusive access to contact details of other ISTB Members
Publications :
ISTB will serve as a resource center for the seed exports sector and key audiences by providing information to key stakeholders and the general public.
- Annual / Bi- annual World Seed Summit report
- Quarterly / Half yearly India Seed export magazine
- Annual Seed Requirement Report
- Seed export outlook report
- Annual summary of news – International and National export statistics
- Position papers
- International Conference & Seminar reports
Events :
Seed Summit and Trade Events
ICFA leveraging its large pool of contributors, eminent personalities of Indian and global agriculture, policy makers, experts, business and thought leaders - uniting their impact to discover innovations and policy formulation for promoting seeds will organize the 'World Seed Summit', Africa Seed Summit, Asia Seed Summit and Trade events across different countries to promote investments, technology and trade cooperation.
The events aim to address the bottlenecks in the global seed trade and its promotion and discuss advances in seed trade.
National Round Table Conference on Seed Trade
National Round Table Conference on Seed Trade will be an annual event of ICFA that will provide a unique platform for key stakeholders namely Central & State Governments, seed industry and Institutions for articulating their perspectives on raising awareness, capacity building, policy formulations, promotion and export of seeds from India. The conference will mainly encompass on untapping the market potential of Indian seeds by properly channelizing the policy initiatives towards promoting seed trade across the globe.
About ICFA
Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture is the apex body in India, working on business, policy and development agenda and serving as global platform for trade facilitation, partnerships, technology and agribusiness services towards empowering Indian farmers. A proactive approach helps ICFA in discerning critical challenges emerging in Indian agriculture along with creating opportunities for development, value addition and trade to accelerate growth in food and agriculture sector. With its 27 industry Working Groups and sector specific Business Councils, ICFA represents the interests of key stakeholders at the national level and through its international platforms and partnerships, ICFA facilitates India’s global engagement in food and agriculture sector.
In a short period of five years, the Chamber has signed up MoUs nationally with APEDA, ICAR, NIAM, NASSCOM, TERI etc. and internationally with the University of California, University of Maryland, Michigan State University, Iowa State University, Western Australia University, German Agribusiness Alliance, Borlaug Institute for South Asia, African Asian Rural Development Organization, Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA), FAMATO, CCI Pau Be arn, France and IFPRI etc. Through international partnerships, ICFA envisions to mobilise technologies and investments that will catalyse agribusiness and agri start- ups. For meaningful engagement with the farmers, ICFA has also established All India Farmers Alliance (AIFA), a body representing 42 major farmers organisations.