agri policy
providing a platform that will
bring together like-minded seed
companies who are committed to
the seed business, IP creation, IP
protection and working for the
welfare of Indian farmers. FSII
will work to address all issues,
constraints and difficulties that
affect the growth of seed and seed
industry in India. The new
federation would also build
capacities and knowledge and
engage in activities that alleviate
distress in the farming
community. FSII also plans to
work closely and collaboratively
with Policy makers and all
stakeholders to help in creating
an enabling environment for
the growth of research based
seed industry.
"Another challenge for policy
makers in India has been the
increasing import dependence of
edible oil and pulses. It is
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BioVoiceNews | September 2016
important to ensure both food
and nutritional security for the
country’s growing population.
Seed is one of the key inputs that
can deliver innovative solutions to
address the agricultural
challenges we have. This new
Association is committed to
increase efforts in research and
innovation in Seed – which in
turn, would help our farmers and
Indian Agriculture,” added
Mr Ramasami.
The Founding Members of this
Association have been pioneers in
introducing many new research
and high quality products in
India. For instance, members of
FSII include companies who
commercialised India's first
hybrids in Rice, Wheat, Jowar,
Bajra, Maize, Sunflower, and
several vegetables. Research
products from these founding
member companies include
Tomato Leaf curl virus tolerant
tomato, Leaf curl virus tolerant
Cotton, Yellow vein mosaic virus
tolerant Bhendi, Single Cross
Maize, etc.
When asked about the reason
behind forming such an
association when there could be
areas of conflict of interest
between companies, Mr
Ramasami said that “Our new
association is driven by the
fundamental value of respecting
research and intellectual
properties of each other. The
Association believes that no single
company has all the solutions and
hence collaborations, joint
ventures, licensing arrangements
and similar approaches are
necessary among the members of
the industry. Such collaborative
working is possible only based on
fair dealings, mutual trust, respect
for the law and honoring of