Assessment of India’s Seed Quality Assurance System

This Seed Laws Toolbox project, implemented by Sathguru Management Consultants and Naktuinbouw, assessed India’s seed quality assurance ecosystem, with a particular focus on Karnataka and Telangana. It examined seed certification, testing, accreditation, seed health diagnostics, phytosanitary compliance and enterprise-led quality assurance, drawing on desk research, stakeholder consultations and exchanges with public institutions, laboratories, research organisations and seed companies. The study also compared Indian practices with international frameworks such as the OECD Seed Schemes, ISTA standards and the Naktuinbouw Authorized Laboratories model.

The assessment found a strong existing institutional base, while identifying areas where systems need to adapt to growing hybrid seed production, expanding trade, stricter phytosanitary requirements and increasing demand for digital traceability and advanced diagnostics. Its roadmap focuses on stronger seed health and phytosanitary assurance, improved laboratory quality and accreditation, greater digital integration, and deeper public-private collaboration.