"We welcome the government's initiative to sell subsidized tomatoes through NCCF vans, initially introduced in Delhi and now expanded to Mumbai, to help cool down rising costs and ensure affordability for consumers. While these short-term measures are vital in addressing acute price volatility, we would like to reiterate the need to focus on long-term, sustainable solutions.
The seed industry believes that incentivising investments in advanced seed technologies and research that help enhance productivity and thus overall supply is crucial.
For example, New Breeding Technologies (NBTs), including CRISPR gene editing can be leveraged for introducing crop traits like pest and disease resistance, improved productivity, and extended shelf life. These advancements will not only stabilize prices but also enhance farmers’ profitability."
"We urge for continued support in developing superior seed varieties and implementing evidence-based policies that foster innovation and sustainability. This will pave the way for Indian agriculture to become prosperous and profitable, benefiting both farmers and consumers in the long run," he added.
