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Seed Industry Urges India to Approve Gene Editing
India’s seed industry wants farmers to be able to use crops made with gene-editing technology.
Gene editing changes specific parts of a plant so it may grow better or resist disease.
Industry leaders say this could help India produce more food using fewer resources.
They also say it could help create crops that tolerate climate change, insects and pests.
China was cited as an example of a country moving quickly with this technology.
The industry supports both genetically modified and gene-edited crops.
It says the new Seed Bill should mainly check seed quality, while other rules should govern the technologies used.
Some farming groups have objected to including the word “transgenic” in the proposed law.
India’s seed industry also wants to expand its role in the global seed market.
The Federation of Seed Industry of India urged approval and commercial release of gene-edited crop varieties.
Industry leaders said gene editing could accelerate development of climate-resilient, pest-tolerant and higher-yielding crops.
They cited China’s progress in developing rice varieties producing more than 10 tonnes per hectare.
The industry said the proposed Seed Bill should focus on seed quality, while technology approvals should follow separate regulations.
India’s seed industry is valued at $3.6 billion and aims to raise its global trade share from about 1% to 10% by 2035.
- Who
- The Federation of Seed Industry of India, including its leaders K Vijayaraghavan and Ajai Rana, made the call.
- What
- The seed industry urged India to develop, approve and commercially release gene-edited and genetically modified crop varieties.
- Where
- The remarks were made in India during a media briefing.
- When
- The comments were made after the federation’s annual general meeting and published on September 24, 2026.
- Why
- The industry said these technologies could raise yields, speed up crop development and help create climate-resilient and pest-tolerant varieties.
Seed Industry
Regulatory Concerns
Gene-editing approval
Seed Industry
The seed industry supports development, approval and commercial introduction of both gene-editing and genetically modified technologies, arguing they are important for productivity and crop resilience.
Regulatory Concerns
The article does not identify a broad opposition to gene editing, but it reports that the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh objected to the inclusion of the word “transgenic” in the draft Seed Bill.
Role of the Seed Bill
Seed Industry
Industry leaders said the bill should focus on seed quality, testing and registration, with technology approvals handled under separate regulations.
Regulatory Concerns
The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh’s reported objection indicates concern about how transgenic technology would be addressed in the proposed legislation, although the article does not give its detailed reasoning.
Technology and productivity
Seed Industry
Industry leaders said gene editing can shorten breeding timelines and help India address shortages in crops such as oilseeds, pulses and cotton.
Regulatory Concerns
The article notes a potential drawback acknowledged by the industry: hybrid use can increase fertilizer demand, even where water use falls.
Key facts
- Indian seed industry value
- $3.6 billion
- Expected industry value by 2030
- More than $5 billion
- Current share of global seed trade
- About 1%
- Target global seed trade share by 2035
- 10%
- Crops highlighted for innovation
- Oilseeds and pulses
- Rice yields cited in China
- More than 10 tonnes per hectare
- Countries reported to eat GM food and feed
- About 120 or more
Quotes
K Vijayaraghavan
Chairman and CEO of Hyderabad-based Sathguru Management Consultants
“India has the science, the talent and the farmers to become a major player in the global seed market. Government initiatives such as the national Mission on High-Yielding Seeds are important steps. The industry is ready to invest more in research, especially in oilseeds and pulses.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“All the genetic technologies as you know can be delivered only through the seed to the farmers because all these are embedded inside the seed”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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