The forthcoming Asian Seed Congress to be held here from November 9 to 13, is expected to generate business enquires worth Rs 1,000 crore.
Speaking to the media in connection with the congress, Buta Singh Kanwal, chairman of the National Organising Committee of Asia – Asian Seed Congress 2008, said the seed business in India was going through a difficult phase as most cultivable lands were being converted for development purposes.
The seed business in the Asia Pacific region is estimated at $30 billion and Asia alone contributes $10 billion. The Indian seed market is valued at Rs 5,000 crore and there is scope to increase it by 20 per cent by value additions, he said.
The conference will deliberate on seed issues relating to vegetables, hybrid rice, cotton, genetically modified crops, foliage and field crops covering seed health, quality and pathology and IPR.
The conference will also be a platform for business deals between international and domestic seed companies.