ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, has developed an innovative biopolymer-based Smart Seed Coating Technology (Indian Patent) designed to enhance seed quality, crop establishment, and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses across agricultural crops. The technology utilizes biodegradable biopolymeric materials to create a multifunctional protective layer around seeds that acts as a carrier system for beneficial microorganisms, nutrients, micronutrients, crop protection agents, and plant growth-promoting compounds.
Field demonstrations under farmer field conditions have shown substantial improvements in crop establishment and productivity. In Groundnut and Soybean trials conducted in Telangana, the technology recorded yield improvements of nearly 30 percent compared to conventional farmer practices. Multi-location AICRP-Seed trials across soybean, maize, groundnut, chickpea, cotton, mustard, and pigeon pea demonstrated consistent improvements in seedling vigour, crop establishment, and yield, with productivity gains ranging from 12–37% over untreated controls.
The technology is particularly relevant for rainfed agriculture, which accounts for a major share of India's cultivated area and is highly vulnerable to climatic uncertainties. Unlike conventional seed treatments that serve a single purpose, the ICAR-IIOR platform functions as a comprehensive seed enhancement system capable of integrating multiple beneficial inputs into a single application. The technology can be customized for cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, fibre crops, fodder crops, vegetables, spices, and horticultural crops.
ICAR-IIOR is promoting partnerships with public and private seed systems for large-scale dissemination and adoption. State Seed Development Corporations, National Seed Corporation, Cooperative seed federations, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), seed processing units, seed hubs, custom seed treatment centres, seed entrepreneurs, and private seed companies are identified as key partners for integrating smart seed technologies into seed production and distribution networks.
The innovation aligns with national priorities on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, improved seed systems, and enhanced resource-use efficiency. ICAR-IIOR continues to advance research on next-generation seed enhancement technologies involving biopolymers, beneficial microbes, nutrient delivery systems, and environmentally sustainable formulations aimed at transforming conventional seeds into climate-resilient Smart Seeds.