India-Netherlands Seed Secretariat
The India-Netherlands Seed Secretariat aims to contribute to strengthening government-to-government relations in seed sector development. This project is part of the Sustainable and Productive Horticulture program of the Netherlands that focuses on South and West India. In line with those objectives, the Secretariat aims to explore partnership projects on seed innovations and R&D, enhancing trade and investment in India and benefitting Indian farmers.
Background to the Secretariat
In 2023 - 2024, SeedNL embarked on a fact-finding study in India to assess the potential of India’s seed market, especially international seed trade, and to identify gaps, if any, that can be addressed through internal mechanisms or bilateral collaboration with the Netherlands. It resulted in the paper: Mapping the Landscape, Challenges, and Opportunities for International Seed Trade in India. You can download the full report or an executive summary of the study.
Activities
The project performs several activities, including:
Organizing Round Tables with seed companies to discuss market access
Convening Public-Private Dialogue on challenges in the seed sector and its competitiveness
Commissioning Studies that provide evidence for discussion, including a Road Map for India-Netherlands collaboration
Arranging Exchange Visits to the Netherlands for Indian decision makers to get acquainted with Dutch/EU practices in plant variety protection and phytosanitary service provision
Designing new projects, like a Centre of Excellence in seed processing
Role of SeedNL
SeedNL coordinates activities in close collaboration with Sathguru Management Consultants; the secretariat in Hyderabad. SeedNL facilitates Dutch Advisory Committee meetings, Exchange Visits to the Netherlands, and new project proposals. Sathguru convenes Round Tables and Public-Private Dialogue in India. Wageningen Social & Economic Research supports the development of a Road Map.
How to get involved?
Join our Round Table meetings in India if you have a commercial interest in India's seed sector, or Public-Private Dialogue if you have another interest in improving India's seed sector enabling environment and competitiveness. Get in touch if you have relevant information to be brought to the attention of partners in both countries.
For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact our project leader, Gareth Borman at gborman@seednl.nl
Picture references - Jim Agro Roy of Innovision