India Joins OECD Seed Certification Schemes

To strengthen India's presence in the international seed trade, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) granted eligibility to India to participate in the OECD Seed Schemes program in the recently -concluded Annual Meeting of representatives in Chicago, Illinois, USA.. The program provides an international framework for the certification of agricultural seed movement in international trade. The Schemes were established in 1958 with a view to support fast-growing seed trade, regulatory harmonization in Europe, the development of off-season production, the seed breeding and production potential of large exporting countries in America (North and South) and Europe, and the support standardization in international seed trade. Most countries and seed importing companies now require OECD approved seed testing and quality certificates.

A rapidly growing international commercial seed market which is worth of US$ 34 billion in 2007 of which 6.9 billion genetically modified seed, represents a substantial opportunity for Indian seed sector. India aspires to be among the major seed player in the world market including USA, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Russia and South Africa.

More information about the OECD seed schemes is available at: http://www.oecd.org/document/0/0,3343,en_2649_33905_1933504_1_1_1_1,00.html For more information about biotech development in India contact: b.choudhary@isaaa.org and k.gaur@cgiar.org