National Seeds Corporation

National Seeds Corporation, fully owned by the Government of India, was established in 1963 to promote and develop the country’s seed industry and enhance agricultural productivity. Since then, the company has had a strong focus on the production and marketing of certified seed, encompassing both field and vegetable crops. Since the company’s establishment, the Indian seed market has become increasingly competitive, but the company continues to hold a solid market share. It supports the implementation of multiple government schemes by also working through its ten regional offices. The company also sells forage and cotton seed.

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South and Southeast Asia

Summary of results:

National Seeds Corporation ranks 21st in the South and Southeast Asia Index. The best results are in Seed Production and Marketing & Sales, where the company focuses its activities. It does not have its own breeding program, so the company reports no commitments in Genetic Resources or Intellectual Property. Opportunities also exist in Capacity Building, for which the company does not disclose any activities.

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Operations in Scope
  • Countries in Scope
  • Company Presence
  • Production Locations
  • Breeding Station/R&D
Index Crops in Portfolio
Seed type
Hybrid OPV GM
Field crops
Chickpea
Cowpea
Groundnut
Maize
Millets
Pigeon pea
Potato
Rice, paddy
Sesame
Sorghum
Soybean
Sunflower
Wheat
Vegetables
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Eggplant
Gourd
Melon
Okra
Onion
Pepper (hot)
Pepper (sweet)
Pumpkin
Tomato
Watermelon
Local Crops in Portfolio
  • Amaranth
  • Black gram
  • Lab lab
  • Lentil
  • Mungbean
  • Mustard
Leading Practices

    The public nature of National Seeds Corporation is reflected in its wide and diverse portfolio, which encompasses around 600 varieties of 60 crops, including both hybrid varieties and open-pollinated varieties for most crops. On a regular basis, the company publishes an overview of crop and variety availability, including quantities.

    Working through its countrywide network, the company invests in demonstration and promotion activities to increase the adoption of quality seeds of improved varieties.

Areas for Improvement

    National Seeds Corporation can improve its score by disclosing formal policies and activities with objectives related to access to seeds.

    Since one of its objectives is to provide training and extension to farmers in India, the company is encouraged to disclose these activities.

    With extensive seed production activities throughout the country, the company could be clearer about the scope of its supply chain and the conditions under which seed growers, including smallholder farmers, are employed.

Notable Findings

    Apart from its ten regional offices, the company operates eight seed production farms across the country. Around 12,500 registered seed growers work under the company’s supervision in different agro-ecological zones.

    The company’s establishment in 1963 is directly linked to the Green Revolution and the uptake of high-yielding varieties in the late 1960s, which resulted in a substantial increase in food production in the country.

    As a state-owned company, National Seeds Corporation participates in multiple government schemes. Through the Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM) – now known as the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oilpalm (NMOOP) – it disseminates seed ‘Minikits’ to farmers as a means to increase adoption.