ICRISAT hosts policy dialogue to address critical issues in India’s pulse & legume seed systems

New Delhi: Aligned with India’s goal of self-reliance in pulses by 2027, ICRISAT, in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP), hosted a Policy Dialogue on the “Future of Pulses and Legumes Seed Systems in India” to develop actionable solutions for building resilient seed systems.

The dialogue was part of the CGIAR’s Seed Equal Research Initiative, which seeks to deliver quality seeds of improved crop varieties through national partnerships.

Held at ICRISAT’s headquarters in Hyderabad, India, the event brought together high-level government officials, public and private sector representatives, NGOs, seed companies, storage firms, farmer groups, and ICRISAT scientists, aiming to drive a shared vision for transforming India’s pulse and legume seed systems.

Ms Shubha Thakur, Additional Secretary—Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, commended ICRISAT’s work on rice fallows in Odisha and encouraged researchers to explore unconventional approaches to boost agricultural productivity.

“I urge researchers, along with public and private sector stakeholders, to address the gap in translating research findings into practical solutions at the farm level,” said Ms Thakur.

India’s seed systems for pulses and legumes are currently driven by public sector programs that aim to improve access through subsidies. Yet, these efforts struggle to meet the diverse demands of farmers, especially in rural and remote areas.

Limited private sector involvement and the absence of a strong value chain have further constrained growth in the sector. Policies often fail to address the seed system complexities, resulting in a persistent gap between the demand and supply of high-quality varieties.