Latest news with #PKSingh
The Wire
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Innovation, R&D Focus, and Policy Reforms could Steer India to a $970 Million Vegetable Seed Hub by 2030
New Delhi, Delhi, India (NewsVoir) Valued at $8.45 billion in 2024, the global vegetable seed market is expanding rapidly and experts believe India is well-positioned to become its next major hub, provided the right policies are introduced and effectively implemented. With the government placing renewed focus on the horticulture sector through its comprehensive programme for vegetables and fruits, experts in a national conference asserted that strengthening IPR and introduction of biotech along with enabling policy support could drive the Indian vegetable seed market from $740 million in 2023–24 to $970 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.6%. 'India's rise in horticulture specially vegetable production is linked to the rich germplasm, diverse growing conditions, R&D innovations and strategic investments by the private and public institutions,' said Dr P K Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 'Horticulture has moved from the margins to the mainstream, driven by Seed sector R&D, hybrid seed adoption, and a shift towards a science-led seed industry. Yet, our global potential remains largely untapped.' At a national conference titled 'Role of Vegetable Seed Sector in Making India a Global Seed Hub' organised by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) in Capital on Friday senior government officials, agricultural scientists, seed industry leaders, and policymakers deliberated on regulatory hurdles and ways of unlocking the country's export potential. 'India's seed sector is at a defining moment. With rich agro-climatic diversity, competitive production systems, a dynamic private sector, and strong public research institutions, we have all the building blocks to become a global seed production hub,' said Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, IAS, Joint Secretary (Seeds), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. 'The Ministry is streamlining licensing, introducing science-based regulatory reforms, enabling digital traceability through the SATHI platform, and investing in modern seed infrastructure including processing plants, storage, and testing labs. These steps will ensure farmers get timely access to certified, high-quality seeds with full QR-code-based traceability, helping reduce crop losses, improve productivity, and protect them from spurious inputs,' he added. While government officials highlighted the enabling policy ecosystem being built to catalyze India's global competitiveness, agricultural scientists emphasized the transformative role of hybridization, biotechnology, and public-private collaboration in enhancing productivity. India currently exports about $120 million worth of vegetable seeds annually, mainly to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Experts believe this could easily double or triple if long-standing policy hurdles are addressed, chief among them a backlog of over 100 Pest Risk Analyses (PRAs) pending since 2016, stalling trade worth an estimated $55 million. 'We call for a unified regulatory approach and the introduction of 'One Nation, One Licence' model for domestic seed registration and a single-window export clearance system. These, along with digitized approvals and longer duration license validity, are critical to improving India's ease of doing business in seeds,' said Mr Rajvir Rathi, Vice Chairman, FSII, Director, Agricultural Affairs & Policy - IBSL & Lead, Traits Licensing, Bayer CropScience Ltd. India's comparative advantages, diverse agro-climatic zones, low production costs, a vibrant R&D ecosystem, and skilled workforce, position it uniquely to lead the global seed trade. Already, over 300 companies operate in the country's formal seed market, contributing 80-85% of the value and investing more than $200 million annually in research. Beyond productivity, the vegetable seed sector has profound socio-economic ripple effects. It supports over 100,000 direct jobs, empowers women smallholders, and offers year-round income stability in rural areas. Nutritionally enhanced vegetables are also addressing hidden hunger by providing essential micronutrients at scale. As global food systems brace for climate and population shocks, the conference concluded with a strong consensus; India must reform fast, innovate continuously, and position itself as the world's most reliable and responsible supplier of high-quality vegetable seeds. The seeds of global leadership, it appears, have already been sown. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Fashion Value Chain
26-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Innovation, R&D Focus, and Policy Reforms could Steer India to a $970 Million Vegetable Seed Hub by 2030
Valued at $8.45 billion in 2024, the global vegetable seed market is expanding rapidly and experts believe India is well-positioned to become its next major hub, provided the right policies are introduced and effectively implemented. With the government placing renewed focus on the horticulture sector through its comprehensive programme for vegetables and fruits, experts in a national conference asserted that strengthening IPR and introduction of biotech along with enabling policy support could drive the Indian vegetable seed market from $740 million in 2023-24 to $970 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.6%. Experts shared insights and perspectives at the National Workshop on 'Role of Vegetable Seed Sector in Making India a 'Global Seed Hub' 'India's rise in horticulture specially vegetable production is linked to the rich germplasm, diverse growing conditions, R&D innovations and strategic investments by the private and public institutions,' said Dr P K Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 'Horticulture has moved from the margins to the mainstream, driven by Seed sector R&D, hybrid seed adoption, and a shift towards a science-led seed industry. Yet, our global potential remains largely untapped.' At a national conference titled 'Role of Vegetable Seed Sector in Making India a Global Seed Hub' organised by Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) in Capital on Friday senior government officials, agricultural scientists, seed industry leaders, and policymakers deliberated on regulatory hurdles and ways of unlocking the country's export potential. 'India's seed sector is at a defining moment. With rich agro-climatic diversity, competitive production systems, a dynamic private sector, and strong public research institutions, we have all the building blocks to become a global seed production hub,' said Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, IAS, Joint Secretary (Seeds), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. 'The Ministry is streamlining licensing, introducing science-based regulatory reforms, enabling digital traceability through the SATHI platform, and investing in modern seed infrastructure including processing plants, storage, and testing labs. These steps will ensure farmers get timely access to certified, high-quality seeds with full QR-code-based traceability, helping reduce crop losses, improve productivity, and protect them from spurious inputs,' he added. While government officials highlighted the enabling policy ecosystem being built to catalyze India's global competitiveness, agricultural scientists emphasized the transformative role of hybridization, biotechnology, and public-private collaboration in enhancing productivity. India currently exports about $120 million worth of vegetable seeds annually, mainly to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Experts believe this could easily double or triple if long-standing policy hurdles are addressed, chief among them a backlog of over 100 Pest Risk Analyses (PRAs) pending since 2016, stalling trade worth an estimated $55 million. 'We call for a unified regulatory approach and the introduction of 'One Nation, One Licence' model for domestic seed registration and a single-window export clearance system. These, along with digitized approvals and longer duration license validity, are critical to improving India's ease of doing business in seeds,' said Mr Rajvir Rathi, Vice Chairman, FSII, Director, Agricultural Affairs & Policy – IBSL & Lead, Traits Licensing, Bayer CropScience Ltd. India's comparative advantages, diverse agro-climatic zones, low production costs, a vibrant R&D ecosystem, and skilled workforce, position it uniquely to lead the global seed trade. Already, over 300 companies operate in the country's formal seed market, contributing 80-85% of the value and investing more than $200 million annually in research. Beyond productivity, the vegetable seed sector has profound socio-economic ripple effects. It supports over 100,000 direct jobs, empowers women smallholders, and offers year-round income stability in rural areas. Nutritionally enhanced vegetables are also addressing hidden hunger by providing essential micronutrients at scale. As global food systems brace for climate and population shocks, the conference concluded with a strong consensus; India must reform fast, innovate continuously, and position itself as the world's most reliable and responsible supplier of high-quality vegetable seeds. The seeds of global leadership, it appears, have already been sown.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Security forces stop Manipur relief camp inmates from returning to native village
GUWAHATI: Security forces on Wednesday thwarted an attempt by around 100 people, displaced by the ethnic violence in Manipur, to return to their native Dolaithabi village in the Imphal East district of Meitei-majority Imphal Valley. The persons, who are lodged at a relief camp in the district, were intercepted at Pukhao Bazar area, 2.5 km away from Dolaithabi. The village is considered a sensitive area, given its proximity to conflict zones. Sources said it was a precautionary measure that the people were not allowed to return to their village. The Imphal East district shares its boundary with Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district. During the ethnic conflict, a series of violent incidents occurred in areas bordering the two districts. Recently, Manipur Chief Secretary PK Singh stated the government had plans to shut down all relief camps after carrying out the resettlement of the people in three phases. The government had come up with the plan following discussions with the central government. '…The number of displaced, which was 62,000 in the beginning, is now about 57,000. I took stock of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. People have started going back,' Singh had stated.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur to close relief camps, resettle inmates with financial assistance
1 2 Guwahati: Manipur, which is under President's Rule since Feb, has planned to close about 350 relief camps housing thousands of people displaced by the ethnic violence since 2023 by this year-end and resettle them with financial assistance from the govt in three-phases beginning July. Manipur chief secretary PK Singh on Friday said a structured rehabilitation programme for displaced individuals has been finalsied following detailed consultations with the ministry of home affairs. "We've had a good round of discussions with the central govt and MHA. The first phase involves those who can go back immediately — by July — and that process has already begun. The number of displaced people has come down to 57,000 from 62,000," Singh said. He added, "We have come up with a three-phase plan. First, those who want to immediately go back to their homes. We expect a good number will go back by July. And as we speak, yesterday I took stock of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts and people have started going back to their homes." Singh said the second round would begin by Oct and the third by Dec. Singh further added that the govt has decided to provide funds to these displaced people under three different categories. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tinnitus: what this grandson discovered will surprise you Hearing Magazine Undo The first one involves about 7000-8000 people whose houses have been destroyed. Each family will get about Rs 3 lakh each to re-build their houses. The second category is for about 7,000 people who have fled their homes but their houses were not destroyed. But over two years of neglect have left their houses in a dilapidated state. "So, there will be some kind of monetary help for those people," Singh said. "And the third category is for those who, even after Dec, will not be able to return to their homes immediately. These can be about anything around 8000 to 10,000, and they will be allowed to stay in the prefabricated houses for which we are building a thousand more," Singh added. He said the situation is improving and farming is also going on peacefully. "I'm glad to share that both sides are farming together. I mean within eyeball to eyeball distance and they are sharing water. That's a very good sign," he added. The chief secretary said the govt is appealing to all civil society organizations to maintain calm and added that "some mischievous elements are there everywhere. Some people want something mischievous to happen."
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur to close relief camps, launch three-phase rehab plan
GUWAHATI: Manipur plans to shut around 350 relief camps sheltering people displaced by ethnic violence since May 2023 and resettle them through a structured, three-phase rehabilitation programme starting this month. Chief secretary PK Singh said Friday that the northeastern state, under President's rule since ex-CM N Biren Singh stepped down in Feb, was in talks with the ministry of home affairs to start rehabilitating the displaced based on an assessment of how many people were prepared to leave the relief camps immediately. "The process has already begun. The number of displaced people has dropped from 62,000 to 57,000. As we speak, in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, people have started going back to their homes," he said. The second phase of rehabilitation is slated to begin by Oct and the third in Dec. Singh said financial assistance for resettlement would be provided in three categories. Beneficiaries in the first group - 7,000-8,000 people whose houses were destroyed in arson - are eligible for around Rs 3 lakh each to rebuild their homes. The second category has 7,000 people who fled their villages to escape violence, but whose houses were spared. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo They will receive financial assistance to start life afresh. The last group will have people who are unable to return to their villages until Dec. "The number can be anything between 8,000 and 10,000. They will be given prefabricated houses to stay in, for which we are building a thousand more," Singh said. On whether the situation had improved enough for displaced families to be confident about returning to areas ravaged by violence, he said resumption of farming activity was an encouraging sign. "I am glad to share both sides (Meiteis and Kukis) are farming together. I mean, within eyeball-to-eyeball distance. And they are sharing water."
