New Delhi, May 25 -- The private sector has overtaken the public sector in India's seed production, driven by its dominance in high-value crops such as cotton and horticulture.

In 2023-24, private firms accounted for 71% of the country's seed production, up from 40% in 2009-10, according to data from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). In contrast, the share of state-run seed producers fell from 60% to just 29% over the same period.

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This shift has implications for Indian agriculture, which relies on both public institutions like ICAR and market-driven innovation to improve yields, ensure food security, and su...