Seed companies are integral to India’s agro-industry, responsible for producing high-quality seeds and essential crop preservation solutions, such as advanced pesticides, through extensive research. India’s seed market is robust and rapidly expanding, comprising well-established and emerging companies that employ a significant workforce.
This growth in the seed sector extends beyond agriculture, creating an increasing demand for warehousing spaces. This heightened need for storage facilities reshapes India’s real estate sector, bridging the gap between agriculture and property markets.
In this article, we will tap into the top 10 seed companies in India and explore their far-reaching impact on both agriculture and real estate.
See also: Toy companies in India
Business landscape in India
India’s business landscape is driven by a substantial and prosperous middle class, making it an attractive consumer hub. According to the WEF’s Global Competitiveness Index, India ranks third among 141 economies in terms of market size, with the world’s largest market for manufactured goods and services. This market is poised for continuous growth, with the WEF projecting that India’s total consumption expenditure will reach a staggering $5.7-6 trillion by 2030. Across various sectors such as telecommunications, information technology, pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, and engineering, India hosts multiple high-tech companies, contributing significantly to the nation’s vibrant economic landscape.
Read also: Top fintech companies in Chennai
Types of agricultural seeds
| Seed Type | Progeny of | Supervision and Production | Purpose | Certificate Color |
| Breeder Seeds | Nucleus Seeds | Supervised by plant breeders and a committee from the DOAC, ICAR, etc. | 100% physical and genetic purity, for foundation seed production | Golden Yellow |
| Foundation Seeds | Breeder Seeds | Produced by recognized agencies under seed certification supervision | Meets field and seed standards, for certified seed production | White |
| Certified Seeds | Foundation Seeds | Produced by registered or certified producers under certification agency | Must meet Indian Seed Certification Standards | Blue |
Top 10 seeds companies in India in 2024
Andhra Pradesh State Seed Development Corporation
Company type: Seed production
Location: Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh – 534218
Founded in: 1976
Andhra Pradesh State Seed Development Corporation is a key player in India’s seed industry. With a strong history of seed production and ongoing efforts to improve crop varieties, it excels in efficiently producing core crops that yield high results at a cost-effective price. Established on March 26, 1976, this corporation plays a crucial role in enhancing seed quality production within the state and successfully implementing the National Seed Project in Andhra Pradesh, India.
JK Agri Genetics
Company type: Seed production, biotechnology research
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal – 700001
Founded in: 1989
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Hyderabad, JK Agri Genetics is known for its expertise in plant breeding, biotechnology research, seed production, processing, and marketing; it specialises in various crops and vegetable hybrid seeds. With a strong focus on research, quality control, and assurance, JK Agri Genetics has gained the trust of numerous Indian farmers. Leveraging advanced biotechnology, the company continues to lead innovations in seed production.
Kalash Seeds
Company type: Research and marketing in tropical vegetable
Location: Jalna Maharashtra – 431203
Founded in: 2011
Kalash Seeds commands a prominent position in India’s seed industry and is celebrated for its expertise in cultivating niche crops such as beetroot, onion, musk melons, and broccoli. It has firmly established itself as a leader across various agricultural domains, contributing significantly to the country’s agricultural progress.
JK Agri Genetic
Company type: Seed production, processing and marketing
Location: Begumpet, Hyderabad – 500016
Founded in: 1989
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Hyderabad, JK Agri Genetic specialises in crafting seeds that foster sustainable, long-term crop growth. Offering a comprehensive array of seeds, including vegetables, peppers, okra, tomatoes, fodder beets, Sudan grass, wheat, mustard, castor, sunflower, millet, paddy, maize, and cotton seeds, it plays an indispensable role in India’s agriculture sector.
Shree Ganesh Bio
Company type: Seed production
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal – 700016
Founded in: 1982
Shree Ganesh Bio is a dynamic contributor to the seed production landscape, focusing on potatoes and paddy. The company contributes significantly to rural employment by employing specialised techniques to optimise crop yields. Moreover, it operates a state-of-the-art research laboratory, fostering continuous innovation and improved seed quality and production methodologies.
Mangalam Seeds
Company type: Seed marketing and production
Location: Navarangpura, Ahmedabad – 380009
Founded in: 2011
Mangalam Seeds hails from a rich farming heritage with over 35 years of experience in seed marketing and production. This company is renowned for its sophisticated technology adoption in seed production and extensive research efforts to improve seed quality consistently. With warehousing facilities in Deesa, Junagadh, and Palanpur, Mangalam Seeds Limited is a critical player in the agricultural seed sector.
Krishidhan Seeds
Company type: Agricultural biotech
Location: Indore, Madhya Pradesh – 452001
Founded in: 1996
Established in 1996, Krishidhan Seeds has evolved into a group of companies and stands as a leading player in India’s field crop seed industry. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, it specialises in research-driven agricultural practices, including biotechnology, to elevate seed quality. Krishidhan Seeds offers a wide range of seeds, encompassing cotton, grains, pulses, oilseeds, millet, soybean, paddy, maize, and more. Its unwavering focus on research, quality control, production, processing, marketing, and international service benefits farmers worldwide.
Advanta India
Company type: Specialty products, seed and agrochemicals
Location: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh – 500034
Founded in: 1994
Formerly known as ITC Zeneca, Advanta India is a prominent player in the Indian seed market. Headquartered in Bangalore, India, with a global presence, it specialises in selling hybrid seeds nationwide. In 2006, it became part of United Phosphorus Limited, further enhancing its reach and capabilities.
National Seeds Association of India (NSAI)
Company type: Seed marketing and R&D
Location: Beej Bhawan, New Delhi – 110012
Founded in: 2011
NSAI is a renowned research-based company at the forefront of seed development dedicated to supporting farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Leveraging innovative biotechnology, NSAI uplifts farmer’s livelihoods and modernises India’s agricultural industry. It is recognised for its commitment to advancing the agricultural sector.
PAN Seeds
Company type: Seed Production and Marketing
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal – 700026
Founded in: 1975
PAN Seeds was established in 1975 and initially focused on producing and marketing jute seeds. A decade later, the company ventured into rice seed production, achieving considerable success due to its dedication to providing high-quality sources to Indian farmers. Over the years, PAN Seeds expanded its product line to include vegetable seeds, wheat seeds, potato seeds, and oilseeds, contributing significantly to India’s agricultural growth.
Kaveri Seed Company
Company type: Seed Production and Marketing
Location: Secunderabad, Telangana – 500003
Founded in: 1986
Kaveri Seeds is a key stakeholder in fueling the Green Revolution that begins with the seed, the most decisive input in agriculture. Genetically enhanced premium quality seed has been the hallmark of Kaveri for more than three decades, The Company has vast experience in seed production of major agricultural crops backed by a very strong in-house R&D programme for crops maize, cotton, sun flower, bajra, sorghum, rice and several vegetable crops. With over 600 acres of farmland owned by the company and dedicated team of researchers, the company is conscious of the changing needs of farmers and consumers to design and develop productive hybrids that excel in the market and fetch rewarding returns. Being India’s leading National seed company, the focus centers round combined use of conventional breeding and biotechnology to shift the yield frontier and stabilise it through incorporation of genetic resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Nuziveedu Seeds
Company type: Seed Production and Marketing
Location: Medchal-Malkajgiri, Telangana – 500100
Founded in: 1973
Nuziveedu Seeds is the largest Bt cotton seed company in India (in terms of volumes of seed packets sold in 2012-13) which develops, produces, and markets hybrid and varietal seed products. It is the flagship company of the NSL Group which is a multimillion (in INR) conglomerate with interests in power, textiles, retailing, sugar and infrastructure.
Syngenta Seeds Group
Company type: Seed Production and Marketing
Location: Baner Road, Pune – 411045
Founded in: 2000
Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Headquartered near Chicago, USA, the business focuses on providing farmers with more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants to combat disease, drought and pests. This includes innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive in challenging growing conditions while also addressing the needs of nature and society.
Mahyco Seeds
Company type: Seed Production and Marketing
Location: Nariman Road, Pune – 400020
Founded in: 1964
Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Private Limited (Mahyco) is focused towards bringing innovation in agriculture through research & development, production, processing and marketing of seeds for India’s farming fraternity. Through the use of cutting edge technology and intensive research activities, Mahyco has revolutionised the agrarian face of the country.
Top seed companies in India for popular crops
| Category | Top Companies |
| Maize Seed | 1. Monsanto India
2. Kaveri Seeds 3. Nuziveedu Seeds 4. Bayer CropScience 5. Syngenta India 6. Rasi Seeds |
| Cotton Seed | 1. Rasi Seeds
2. Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds) 3. Nuziveedu Seeds 4. Bayer CropScience 5. Kaveri Seeds |
| Paddy Seed | 1. Bayer CropScience
2. Rasi Seeds 3. Syngenta India 4. Nuziveedu Seeds 5. JK Agri Genetics 6. Advanta Seeds |
| Vegetable Seed | 1. Namdhari Seeds
2. Seminis Seeds 3. Syngenta India 4. East-West Seed 5. Bejo Sheetal 6. Mahyco Vegetable Seeds |
Commercial real estate demand in India
Office space
Seed companies, driven by their expanding workforces, now require larger office accommodations to effectively support their operations. Consequently, the demand for office space has become a focal point in commercial real estate. This surge in demand has led to new office complexes, which are pivotal in advancing the nation’s overall development.
Rental property
The presence of seed companies has reshaped office space requirements and significantly impacted India’s rental property market. The rental property market is thriving with a growing need for warehousing spaces. Property owners are reaping the benefits of this consistent demand, resulting in competitive rental rates and increased property values.
Impact
The expansion of seed companies in India has catalysed the development of modern commercial spaces, leveraging the latest technological innovations. These contemporary commercial spaces not only cater to the immediate needs of seed companies but also contribute to the overall enhancement of the nation’s infrastructure.
Impact of seed companies on India
Seed companies have been pivotal in reshaping India’s rural landscape and leveraging the local real estate market, significantly driving demand. Their impact extends across various dimensions, notably agricultural productivity and profitability enhancement. These companies indirectly stimulate investments in housing, land, and other real estate assets by supplying high-quality seeds that empower farmers to increase their crop yields and income.
For instance, introducing high-yield wheat varieties in Punjab during the 1960s significantly boosted agricultural productivity and incomes, leading to a construction boom in rural Punjab. Similarly, in Telangana, partnerships between the government and seed companies to develop drought-tolerant and pest-resistant crop varieties improved agricultural productivity and incomes, driving up the demand for housing and real estate assets in rural areas.
Housing.com POV
As India’s seed sector continues to flourish, it plays a crucial role in advancing both agricultural and real estate industries. Seed companies are transforming agricultural practices through innovative products and technologies and driving demand for warehousing and office spaces. This convergence of agriculture and real estate highlights seed companies’ vital role in India’s economy, impacting rural livelihoods and fostering growth in urban infrastructure.
With the anticipated expansion of the seed market, there will likely be further integration between agriculture and other economic sectors, underscoring the importance of strategic investments in both commercial and industrial real estate. As seed companies propel the agricultural sector forward, they also contribute to the nation’s broader economic landscape, setting the stage for sustainable growth across multiple industries.
FAQs
How many seed companies operate in India?
As per seednet.gov.in, approximately 400 to 500 companies are engaged in seed production or trade in India.
Which Indian state is recognised as the seed capital?
Telangana has gained prominence as the seed capital of India and hosts a thriving Seed Hub for Asia and Africa. Hyderabad, the state capital, is a global Seed Logistic Hub with robust connectivity to various regions.
What does the future hold for seed companies in India?
The future for seed companies in India looks promising. In 2022, the Indian seed industry reached a market size of US$ 6.3 billion, projected to grow significantly. IMARC Group anticipates the market to reach US$ 12.7 billion by 2028, reflecting a substantial CAGR of 12.43% during 2023-2028.
Is the seed business in India profitable?
The profit margins in the seed production business can vary. Initially, profits may be modest, but profits tend to rise as your product brand gains recognition for its quality. In later stages, profit margins can reach approximately 25-30%.
Is a licence required to sell seeds in India?
Anyone looking to sell, export, or import seeds in India must obtain a seed licence. Each state and union territory in India has procedures for issuing seed licences.
Are seeds subject to taxation in India?
Seeds and agricultural produce typically enjoy tax exemptions in India. They fall outside the scope of both direct and indirect taxes. Under the GST law, seeds are exempt from taxation, and services related to agricultural produce are generally exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Who oversees seed certification in India?
The Central Seed Certification Board, a division within the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is responsible for seed certification in India, and its headquarters is situated in New Delhi.
Which seeds are prohibited in India?
Using HtBt seeds for cotton cultivation in India is deemed illegal as it lacks government approval.
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