Seed industry seeks regulatory relief

India's seed industry is seeking urgent government intervention to address regulatory bottlenecks that cost the sector over Rs 800 crore annually, with the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) pushing for a unified national licensing system and removal of price controls to unlock growth.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The industry body unveiled its 'Ease of Doing Business' report at the 'Lab to Land' conference here on Friday, outlining short-term reforms that could save the sector Rs 382-708 crore by eliminating duplicative state-level procedures and delays.

The 106-page study, based on a survey of 55 companies representing about a third of the Rs 30,000-crore domestic market, highlights fragmented licensing, prolonged delays and redundant variety testing as key bottlenecks affecting the world's fifth-largest seed sector.

Regulatory friction alone accounts for over Rs 300 crore in annual costs from licensing and registration delays that cause companies to miss testing and launch windows, according to the report.