Exclusive insights from the 3rd Gujarat Seed Congress 2023 organized by Gujarat seed Industry Association on 21 Dec 2023 at Taj Gandhinagar

The 3rd Gujarat Seed Congress 2023 (GSC 2023) under theme of “Empowering Gujarat Seed Industry” was organized by Gujarat seed Industry Association, Gandhinagar on 21 Dec 2023 at Taj Gandhinagar Resort & SPA. The event was inaugurated by Hon. Minister of Agriculture, GS Shri Raghavjibhai Patel. Top officials of Govt. of Gujarat; Director of Agriculture, Director Seed Certification Agency, Director Seed Corporation remained present. The occasion was graced by kind presence of Dr. K. Keshavulu, President ISTA & Managing Director of Telangana State Seed Organizations; Dr. Mrs. Malvika Dadlani, Joint Director Research IARI & President, Indian Seed Technology Association and Dr. Chander Mohan, Assistant Commissioner (Seeds), Minister of Agriculture besides about 350 participants from Gujarat and Outside Seed Industry.
Hon. Minister hailed seed industry for its significant contribution in Agriculture and emphasized on high quality seed supply. He further stressed on strengthening cooperation of seed players with SAUs/ICAR for spread of good varieties and hybrids. The fine tuning of seed products in the changing climate scenario is the need of time and technology up gradation in seeds are essential items, he spoke on. Director of Agriculture, GS, Shri. SJ Solanki remarked on various support schemes and willingness of the Government in pushing growth of Gujarat Seed Industry as well as specifically appealed all seed players to keep away from supply of spurious seeds as this input is the most important for realizing better farm production by the farmers.
Two senior scientists, Dr. AR Pathak, Ex VC NAU & JAU and Dr. KG Mehta, Secretary, GAAS along with a senior seed man Shri Jayrambhai Timbadia (Founder governing council member of former Seed Association in Gujarat in 1982) were bestowed upon with Life Time Achievement Awards by Hon. Minister. He further appreciated 13 women Entrepreneurs of Gujarat Seed Industry Association by certificates for their valuable contribution to the growth of industry (Deepthi Gubba of Gubba Group was one of the recipient). This happened for the first time in Indian Seed Industry.
Dr. Chander Mohan presented on SATHI Portal and lucidly explained the purpose, provisions and benefits of seed traceability in India. Dr. Keshavulu educated all about OECD and seed export promotion. The export of seeds in Asian and African countries has very high potential. He presented full account of the subject and invited Hon Minister with delegation of seed team to the State of Telangana for study of seed industry, export and OECDE implementation etc. He further suggested to have a brainstorming and networking program of suppliers and seed demanding countries in Gujarat to push seed export from the state. Dr. Malavika Dadlani, a very senior expert seed person and Dr. Manish Patel, President of APSA both emphasized on seed enhancement and value addition through the latest technological means available. Genetic improvement is essential but now seed treatment is equally valuable to enhance performance of seed under vagaries of climate.
The talk by Mr. Arpit Kacholiya, Director, Four Leaf clover advisory, Ahmedabad on MSME and seed Industry was very much influential and seed players hailed it. The other very educative presentation given by Mr. Chetan Vyas, Sr. Manger, NSE, Ahmedabad on Scaling up Seed Industry through IPO was impressive and well appreciated by all. His appeal was to enhance strength of seed companies by way of up grading various units through their listing.
GSIA conducted a separate program on health and social evils for spouses of seed company owners at GSC 2023 as social activity.
Source: Pranjivan Zaveri
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