13th National Seed Congress to Drive Innovation and Collaboration in India's Seed Sector

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, is gearing up to host the 13th edition of the National Seed Congress (NSC), from November 28-30, 2024, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Organized in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) and the National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC), the event will convene key stakeholders across the seed value chain to discuss transformative solutions and address pressing challenges in the sector.

Shubha Thakur, Additional Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, emphasized the importance of high-quality, climate-resilient seeds in supporting farmers’ incomes and ensuring food security. "NSC 2024 will provide a critical platform for collaboration, empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices," Thakur noted, pointing to the event's role in driving innovation and partnerships within the seed sector.

The Director General of IRRI, Dr. Yvonne Pinto, highlighted the Congress' timely significance, given the evolving market demands and the need for more sustainable seed systems. Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, Director of IRRI's South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), will lead this year’s event. ISARC, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, has played a pivotal role in advancing India's seed systems, developing climate-resilient rice varieties, and supporting cross-border seed exchange through the ‘Seeds Without Borders’ initiative.

Manoj Kumar, Director of NSRTC and co-convener of NSC 2024, underscored the importance of the Congress for knowledge exchange and capacity building, with NSRTC’s focus on improving seed quality control and promoting modern technologies.

With the theme "Fostering Regional Cooperation, Partnership, and Knowledge Exchange in the Seed Sector," NSC 2024 will tackle global challenges and present insights on seed systems, crop improvement, and innovative delivery systems. Topics will include climate-resilient breeding, advancements in seed technology, public-private partnerships, and strategic seed initiatives for nutritional security.

For more details and registration, stakeholders can visit: 13th NSC India 2024.