India Biofortified Seeds Market - 2025-2032

The India biofortified seeds market reached US$ 142.9 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 362.7 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 14.24% during the forecast period 2025-2032.

The biofortified seeds market in India is witnessing significant growth, driven by efforts to combat malnutrition and enhance agricultural resilience. Since 2014, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 142 biofortified varieties, including nutrient-rich rice, wheat, maize and millets, as well as 18 horticultural crops like sweet potato and greater yam. These seeds are designed to improve nutritional content without increasing resource demand, making them a sustainable solution for Indian farmers.

Private sector collaborations play a vital role in scaling biofortified crops. HarvestPlus India and JK Agri Genetics Ltd. have been instrumental in commercializing iron- and zinc-enriched pearl millet and wheat. Since 2017, their joint efforts have resulted in the sale of over 800 tons of biofortified wheat seed (BHU-31) across multiple Indian states, enhancing farmer adoption and nutritional security.

In response to climate change, Indian agricultural research institutions have developed climate-resilient seed varieties that provide higher yields with less water and greater disease resistance. The Indian government has introduced several resilient seed varieties, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launching 109 new climate-resilient seeds to safeguard crop production. Ensuring widespread farmer access and training remains critical for sustaining long-term productivity.

Overall, India's biofortified seeds market is poised for robust expansion, supported by government policies, research advancements and private sector partnerships. As demand for nutrient-dense, climate-smart crops grows, the sector is expected to play a key role in food security and sustainable agriculture.

Dynamics

Demand for Climate-Resilient and High-Yielding Varieties

The demand for climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties in India is becoming increasingly important to combat food inflation and ensure long-term price stability. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, underscores the critical need for India to enhance the production of pulses, oilseeds, tomatoes and onions through the development of climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties. This is essential for ensuring long-term price stability amid persistent food inflation concerns.

The survey points out that vegetables and pulses have significantly contributed to overall food inflation, accounting for 32.3% of the total food inflation between April and December 2024-25. Excluding these categories, the average food inflation for the same period stood at 4.3%, which is 4.1% lower than the overall inflation rate. It highlights the need to address price volatility in key agricultural products to mitigate inflationary pressures.

To stabilize prices and reduce food inflation, it is crucial to focus on improving the yield of these high-impact crops. Developing climate-resilient varieties will play a pivotal role in increasing production, ensuring sustainability and enhancing India's food security in the face of climate change.

High Prevalence of Anemia and Malnutrition

India faces a severe nutrition crisis, with 35.5% of children under five stunted, 32.1% underweight and 18.7% of women (15-49 years) malnourished. Additionally, 74% of the population cannot afford a healthy diet, while 39% lack nutrient adequacy, as per the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (2023). These alarming figures highlight the urgent need for nutrient-rich crops to combat widespread deficiencies. The adoption of biofortified seeds can play a crucial role in improving dietary intake and overall health.

Anemia is another major challenge, affecting 57.0% of women (15-49 years) and 67.1% of children (6-59 months). Among adolescents, 31.1% of boys and 59.1% of girls (15-19 years) suffer from iron deficiency, posing long-term health risks. The Global Hunger Index 2023 ranked India with a serious hunger score of 28.7, emphasizing the need for urgent interventions. Biofortified seeds, enriched with essential micronutrients, offer a scalable solution to tackle this issue.

The Indian government is actively promoting biofortified wheat, rice and millets through public distribution programs. The initiatives aim to enhance food security and address the growing prevalence of malnutrition. Increased investments in nutrition-sensitive agriculture and seed innovation are expected to drive large-scale adoption. As awareness grows, biofortified seeds will play a vital role in ensuring a healthier population.

With rising demand for high-yield and nutrient-rich crops, the biofortified seeds market in India is poised for significant growth. Strengthening agricultural supply chains and incentivizing farmers to cultivate biofortified crops will further accelerate adoption. The integration of climate-resilient and fortified seeds will help improve both nutritional outcomes and agricultural productivity. This shift is essential for achieving long-term food security and better public health.

High R&D Costs and Time-Intensive Development

The development of biofortified seeds is a long and expensive process, often taking 7 to 12 years from research to commercialization. Extensive genetic modifications, field trials and regulatory approvals from bodies like ICAR and GEAC delay market entry. These factors increase costs and slow innovation, making it difficult for private players to invest in biofortified seed development.

High R&D investments are required for biotechnology research, seed trials and bioavailability studies to ensure nutrient enhancement and yield stability. Limited government funding and private-sector participation further hinder progress, as companies face uncertain market demand and high commercialization risks. Unlike hybrid and GM seeds, biofortified seeds lack strong revenue incentives, leading to lower adoption rates.

Scaling up biofortified seed production is another challenge, with high costs for seed purity maintenance, distribution and farmer training. Many farmers remain hesitant due to yield concerns and adaptation challenges, further restricting market growth. To overcome these barriers, public-private collaborations, financial incentives and streamlined regulations are crucial to accelerating innovation and widespread adoption in India.

Segment Analysis

The India biofortified seeds market is segmented based on crop type, nutrient type, breeding technique and distribution channel.

Rising Consumer Demand for Biofortified Cereal and Grain Crops

The Cereals segment, particularly rice, wheat and maize, leads the biofortified seeds market in India due to their critical role in the country's agricultural system. The staple crops are essential for addressing prevalent nutrient deficiencies such as iron, zinc and vitamin A, which affect a large portion of the population. Biofortification of these crops is increasingly seen as a sustainable solution to combat malnutrition.

Small and marginal farmers form a significant portion of the market due to their reliance on staple crops for sustenance and livelihood. As such, the biofortified seeds targeted at these farmers are likely to experience high adoption, driven by government initiatives promoting nutrient-dense crops to tackle widespread malnutrition.

The market's growth is also supported by distribution through government and institutional programs, particularly for iron and zinc-enriched varieties. For instance, the launch of 'HD-3298' biofortified wheat by ICAR in December 2022, enriched with higher iron content, has been pivotal. This variety is being distributed to farmers through government programs to improve nutritional intake, particularly in iron-deficient populations.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include JK Agri Genetics Limited, Advanta Seeds, Mangalam Seeds Limited, NUZIVEEDU SEEDS LTD, Kaveri Seeds, Syngenta, Foragenseeds, Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd. and Ajeet Seeds Pvt. Ltd.

Key Developments

• In August 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 109 climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties to enhance yields, sustainability and food security. Covering 61 crops, these seeds will be distributed within three years, with KVKs and ICAR experts driving farmer adoption through monthly engagement programs.
• In December 2023, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 142 biofortified seed varieties, including 124 field crops and 18 horticultural crops, covering rice, wheat, maize, pearl millet, sweet potato and more. These varieties offer equal or superior yields to conventional seeds without additional cultivation costs, enhancing nutrition, productivity and farm profitability.

By Crop Type

• Cereals & Grains
  • Rice
  • Wheat
  • Maize
  • Others
• Pulses & Legumes
  • Lentils
  • Chickpeas
  • Others
• Fruits and Vegetables
  • Sweet Potato
  • Tomato
  • banana
  • Carrot
  • Others
• Others

By Nutrient Type

• Iron
• Zinc
• Vitamin
• Others

By Breeding Technique

• Conventional Breeding
• Agronomic Biofortification
• Genetic Biofortification

By Distribution Channel

• Government & Institutional Supply
• Private Seed Companies & Agribusinesses
• Farmer Cooperatives & NGOs
• Retail Sales & Agro-dealers
• Others

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the India biofortified seeds market segmentation based on crop type, nutrient type, breeding technique, distribution channel.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points at the drought-tolerant seeds market level for all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The India biofortified seeds market report would provide approximately 39 tables, 34 figures and 192 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies