ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, has developed an innovative biopolymer-based Smart Seed Coating Technology 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, with yield improvements of nearly 30% in groundnut and soybean compared to conventional farmer practices in Telangana. 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. The platform functions as a comprehensive seed enhancement system capable of integrating multiple beneficial inputs into a single application and 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, including 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. The innovation aligns with national priorities on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, improved seed systems, and enhanced resource-use efficiency, contributing to food, nutritional, and economic security.