UP Agriculture Ministry and IRRI announces 13th National Seed Congress

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, (October 16, 2024) - The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India is pleased to announce the 13th edition of the National Seed Congress (NSC) to be held in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh from November 28-30, 2024. The event will be organized jointly by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) and the National Seed and Research Training Center (NSRTC). NSC 2024 aims to bring together stakeholders across the seed value chain to address the most pressing issues facing the sector today.

NSC is an annual gathering of researchers, policymakers, farmers, and representatives from the private and public sectors to build a roadmap for a vibrant and equitable seed sector in India. With the theme, "Fostering Regional Cooperation, Partnership, and Knowledge Exchange in the Seed Sector," NSC 2024 will provide a platform for presenting experiences and insights on the research advances, innovations, and principles related to seed, crop improvement, and seed delivery systems.

NSC 2024 aims to catalyze scientific progress by facilitating the exchange of ideas and interdisciplinary research. It will address pressing global challenges in the seed sector and offer insights and solutions that can influence policy changes, technological innovations, and sustainable development.

Underlining the role of NSC 2024, Smt. Shubha Thakur, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, states, "With a goal towards enhancing farmers' income, ensuring food and nutrition security for billions; access to high-quality, climate-resilient, nutritious seeds and improved cultivars is more important than ever. NSC 2024 will serve as a platform to collaborate on addressing these challenges, empowering farmers, and ensuring that India's agriculture remains strong and sustainable. This event will catalyze innovative solutions and promote partnerships that drive seed sector growth."

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"IRRI is honored and excited to be a part of NSC 2024 as an organizer and a host. This event comes at a crucial time, as agriculture faces evolving market demands and needs more inclusive and sustainable seed systems. The convergence of experts and stakeholders across the seed value chain in diverse agroecologies will allow us to generate impactful solutions to these complex issues," said Dr. Yvonne Pinto, Director General, IRRI.

Through its South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi, inaugurated by PM Shri Narendra Modi in 2018, IRRI has significantly strengthened India's seed systems through innovative research, capacity building, and impactful partnerships. Along with the development of successful climate-resilient rice varieties such as Sahbhagi Dhan and Swarna-Sub 1, and nutritionally enhanced varieties and value-added products, the institution has also facilitated cross-border seed exchange, expediting varietal release and accelerated adoption through policies like Seeds Without Borders. Additionally, IRRI's genomic tools, digital platforms, and robust seed systems ensure faster varietal development and structured dissemination. With this rich legacy in the seed sector, ISARC Director, Dr Sudhanshu Singh will be convening this year's event.

Representing NSRTC and as the co-convener of the event, Shri Manoj Kumar, Director emphasized the vital role of NSRTC in enhancing seed quality and training, "National Seed Congress is a crucial forum for knowledge exchange and capacity building. NSRTC is dedicated to improving seed quality control and facilitating the transfer of modern technologies to the industry. Through our participation in NSC 2024, we aim to strengthen the seed quality testing network and ensure that high-quality seeds are accessible to farmers across the country."

NSC 2024 will focus on building sustainable, equitable, and resilient seed systems by addressing a diverse range of topics, including:

1. Breeding and Seed Systems for Climate Resilience,
2. Advancements in Seed Quality and Technology,
3. Digital Solutions for Breeding, Seed Systems, and Market Insights,
4. Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in Seed Sector,
5. Inclusive Seed Systems for Livelihood Improvement,
6. Innovative Approaches for Seed Delivery and Scaling, and
7. Nutritional Security through Strategic Seed Initiatives.

Visit the website for more information and to register: https://13thnscindia2024.com/index.html

For any queries and information, please contact:
Organising Secretary, NSC 2024: Dr. Swati Nayak, IRRI (Borlaug Field Award Recipient 2023) at [email protected]

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