The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), the apex body of agriculture scientists, has suggested the government to introduce one-time licensing mechanism for globally competitive horticultural crop varieties/hybrids currently being imported, so that those are freely accessible to farmers and reduce repeated imports and ongoing royalty burdens.
In a policy paper released last week, NAAS has also said that improved varieties and hybrids be developed in the country in import-dependent seeds in crops like carrot, beetroot, gherkins, parthenocarpy, cucumber, papaya, apple, walnut, hazelnut, kiwifruit, olive, oil palm, date palm, blueberry, tulips and lilium.
“Strengthen the breeding programme of the horticultural crops, for which seeds and planting materials are imported in high quantity, and minimise the burden of royalty through specific licensing. Emphasise the development of improved varieties and hybrids in import-dependent horticultural crops,” NAAS said in a policy paper — Horticultural Innovations to Enhance Exports from India – released last week.
It has also said that emphasis should be on the development of exportable varieties targeting the destination countries considering consumer preferences, nutrition value and shelf-life.
“Promote a sustainable, efficient and safe production system aligned with global concerns for food safety and traceability. Promote adoption of Bharat GAP-compliance packages (good agricultural practices) in horticultural crops to improve field-level compliance and enhance export readiness,” the study said.
Among other recommendations, it has suggested the government to develop production protocols for organic/natural farming and facilitate the certification to the growers. Besides, traceability systems across the value chain, including organic produce should be strengthened to assure food safety and sustainability.
There is a need to develop sea route protocols for long duration consignments of important fruits such as banana, pomegranate and mango to minimise the export cost, it said adding processing-specific varieties in major horticultural crops such as tomato (paste/concentrate), onion (dried flakes/powder), potato (chips, French fries), chilli (high oleoresin), turmeric (high curcumin) and marigold (high lutein and zeaxanthin) should be developed.
“Promote linkages with food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry partnership for developing innovative uses of horticulture-based processed and value-added products,” it said.
On streamlining regulations of pesticides in horticulture, it said crop specific data on pesticides for effective management of insects and pests be generated. “Facilitate the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee’s (CIBRC) for providing the data on new and safer agrochemicals for registration,” it said.
“Crop grouping approaches may be implemented to streamline label claims for maximum crop groups for inclusion in CODEX norms. This will facilitate to optimising residue testing and standardise maximum residue limits (MRLs),” it said suggesting public–private partnership (PPP) models and institutional support.
As hybrid seed production is costly in many countries, India can serve as a key supplier for importing countries, it noted. “India’s strength as a major hub for vegetable hybrid seed production, particularly for solanaceous vegetables and cucurbits, can be leveraged by simplifying export policy to promote seed exports,” it said.
Published on April 15, 2026