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Smart Seed Coating Technology
ICAR–IIOR, Hyderabad announces the successful demonstration of its biopolymer-based Smart Seed Coating Technology. The demonstration takes place under ICAR’s Farmers FIRST Programme at Rampur Thanda village, Telangana, and the technology has secured an Indian Patent.
Smart Seed Coating Technology (ICAR–IIOR):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Technology type | Comprises a biopolymer-enabled multifunctional protective layer around seeds. |
| Inputs delivered via coating | Provides crops useful microbes, nutrients, growth boosters, and small doses of protectants. |
| Relevance | Applies particularly to rainfed farming (Kharif), enhancing crop resilience and reducing production risks. |
| Developing institutions | Is developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad. |
| Stated objective | Provides for strengthening seed quality, crop establishment, and resilience against climatic and biological stresses. |
| Demonstration site and programme | Has been demonstrated under ICAR’s Farmers FIRST Programme at Rampur Thanda village, Telangana. |
| Patent status | Has secured an Indian Patent for biopolymer-based seed coating. |
| Mechanism | Comprises primer layer application using a biopolymer solution for adhesion; sequential functional layers carrying microbes, nutrients, micronutrients, and crop protectants; controlled release at the seed–soil interface. |
| Distribution channels | Provides treated seeds to farmers through seed corporations, FPOs, cooperatives, and private seed companies. |
| Key feature: system design | Provides for a comprehensive seed enhancement system that integrates multiple beneficial inputs into a single application. |
| Key feature: crop coverage | Applies to cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, fibre crops, fodder crops, vegetables, spices, and horticultural crops. |
| Partnerships promoted by ICAR–IIOR | Authorises collaboration with National Seed Corporations (NSC), State Seed Corporations, FPOs, cooperatives, seed hubs, custom treatment centres, seed entrepreneurs, and private seed companies. |
| Field demonstration outcome (Telangana) | Tamil Nadu trials in groundnut and soybean have recorded 30% yield improvement over conventional practices. |
| Multi-location trial outcome (AICRP-Seed) | AICRP-Seed trials across soybean, maize, chickpea, cotton, mustard, and pigeon pea have recorded 12–37% productivity gains. |