Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that India with a domestic seed market size of about Rs 15,000 crore has a huge potential to become a global supplier of hybrid seeds, especially vegetables, field crops and flower.

India's share in the world seed market is less than 2% and the National Seed Policy aims to take it to 10% by 2020.

Singh called for more investment in research in the seed sector for development of new and better varieties having a higher yield potential, a wider range of adaptability and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Addressing the Asian Seed Congress organised by the Asia and Pacific Seed Association ( APSA), Singh said "Indian seed industry can become a major supplier of seed for global markets."

He added that India has a big potential for hybrid seed production, especially of high value vegetable seeds at a cheaper cost compared with other countries. The country with its diverse agro-climatic zones, skilled human resources and enterprise offers opportunity for diverse seed production for exports, especially that of high value pollinated vegetables, field crops and flower seeds.

Besides vegetables, seeds of hybrid corn, paddy, pearl millet and cotton have promising exports prospects in Asian and African countries.

Singh said "We will try our best to resolve the issues so that Indian seed industry of public and private sectors may fulfill domestic and international demand. I would like to assure that the central government is making all-out efforts to help the seed sector grow more, both domestically and in the international arena. We are committed to seeing growth of this sector in a transparent and sustainable manner at a much faster pace."