World Seed Trade and Technology Congress
18 - 21 September 2019 | Hotel The Lalit Ashok | Bangalore
India Seed Forum Speakers PPTs Glimpses of SeedWorld 2019
Seed World 2019 has arranged field visit to the facilities of two of the leading vegetable seeds companies based in and around Bengaluru. They have kindly agreed to share with you information on their new products and research.
We will visit the Namdhari Seeds facilities in Urgahalli Village, near BIDADI on Mysore Road, Bengaluru, about 50 km. away from our Seed World venue (The Lalit Ashok). The bus journey is likely to take about 90 minutes. After the visit to facilities and a Lunch, kindly being hosted by the company, we are likely to return to our base (The Lalit Ashok) by around 3.30 pm.
We will visit farmers fields growing Indo American Hybrid Seeds products in Kolar area near Bengaluru, about 50 km. away from our Seed World venue (The Lalit Ashok). The bus journey is likely to take about 90 minutes. After the visit to farms and a Lunch, kindly being hosted by the company, we are likely to return to our base (The Lalit Ashok) by around 3.30 pm.
The Seed World 2019 participants who wish to visit the facilities of Namdhari Seeds OR Indo American Hybrid Seeds, are requested to IMMEDIATELY register for the itinerary of their choice by writing to Ms. Shilpa Tyagi (Email = shilpa@icfa.org.in) & (Mobile No = +91-8448482489). There is NO FEE for the tours, but we have limited seats on both the tours and request you to register early to avaoid disappointment. Please note the time of return to Hotel (3.30 pm) to plan your return journey.
Global agriculture today is faced with the dilemma of meeting the growing demand for food, which is likely to increase by 75% by 2050 (vis-a-vis to 2007 levels). This huge target has to be achieved in the context of climate change and declining resources of agricultural land and water, while withstanding the societal and environmental pressures. The onus will fall on seeds, the most critical input for agricultural (crop) production. The global seed industry will collectively have to take the responsibility for meeting this objective in a sustainable manner.
The seed industry today, with a trade of more than USD 60 billion is a technology driven, responsible partner in world agricultural development. Thousands of seed companies in association with millions of seed producing farmers are ensuring that the crop- producing farmers have fair access to clean, quality seeds at affordable prices. Continuously innovating to meet the changing needs, the industry focuses on technologies that leave positive impact on our society, and ensure that the resultant agricultural production systems are more resilient and more sustainable.
The Indian Council of Food & Agriculture (ICFA) which is always in the forefront of engaging with players in the value chain to find solutions to existing and emerging challenges in agricultural development, is organizing an International meeting of various seed stakeholders to discuss and develop a strategic plan for seed sector advancement. SEED WORLD 2019, to be organized in Bangalore, India on 18-21 September 2019, will focus on the growth parameters for the sector in Asia and Africa
India, with a seed trade of nearly USD 2.5 billion, has been ranked among the top five seed economies of the world for some time and has been a strong partner in developing the seed businesses in the neighboring countries and assisting the growth of their seed sector. India accounts for nearly half of the vegetable seed and 70% of the field crops seed requirements of the Asian countries, besides that of African nations, with its limited seed exports worth nearly $ 100 million.
In Africa, agriculture and agribusiness account for nearly 50% of the region's economic activity, and is driven by small -holder farmers, who comprise nearly 70% of people directly reliant on agriculture for their livelihoods. A vibrant, modern and competitive seed industry is essential to improve agricultural productivity in this region. At the moment, just about one-third of farmers in Africa have access to good quality seeds. Quality seed is critical to enabling farmers raise agricultural productivity, increase income and reduce poverty. The informal seed systems (self-saved seed or farmer-to-farmer seed exchange) accounts for 80-90% of the seed used by smallholder farmers. It is thus important that the various nongovernmental partnership programs / projects operating there with the support of the Asian seed industry, are relevant to issues surrounding development of seed industry in the African continent.
SEED WORLD 2019, will be a meeting of all the important seed stakeholders including seed industry, farmers, national and international seed policy makers and agricultural development officials and will address the issues related to providing appropriate seed choice to the farmers with technologies aimed at unlocking the potential of plant genetic resources, understanding the diversity and complexities of biodiversity legislations, facilitate movement of seeds across the borders for research and commercialization under a fair science based regulatory framework, respecting the intellectual property rights with equitable benefit sharing with communities and governments and creating an awareness about illegal seed practices being a threat to farmers' livelihood and global food security.
SEED WORLD 2019 is being structured to include two days of Conference discussion sessions (19 & 20 September) with five sessions analyzing the issues related to enhancing seed trade in the region, phytosanitary concerns regulating the international movement of seeds, access and benefit sharing under the international IPR and biodiversity legislations & guidelines and good seed industry practices. One day (21 September) is being dedicated for field visits to facilities of leading seed companies around Bangalore. The event will be inaugurated on 18 September evening with a Key Note presentation to set the tone for the Congress.
