11–12 September 2026. The 2nd India–Africa Seed Summit 2026, held in New Delhi, India, brought together seed companies, policymakers, researchers and agricultural organisations from India and African countries to strengthen cooperation on seed trade, technology transfer, research, investment and access to quality seed.
Building on the first India–Africa Seed Summit, the meeting highlighted India’s experience in developing affordable seed technologies and Africa’s rapidly growing demand for diverse, climate-resilient and high-performing varieties.
Discussions focused on enabling regulatory environments, harmonisation of seed standards, public–private partnerships, capacity development and opportunities for Indian and African seed enterprises to collaborate, with the broader objective of strengthening resilient seed systems, raising agricultural productivity and contributing to food and nutrition security across Africa.
16 September — Seed innovation, partnerships and finance
Inaugural Ceremony & launch of “Seeds Without Borders” — 10:00–11:00.
The opening brought together Surendramohan Kadaveru, Agriculture Production Commissioner & Secretary, Telangana; Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT; Dr Yacouba Diallo, Secretary General, African Seed Trade Association (AfSTA); Dr Tarun Shridhar, Director General, ICFA; Dr M.J. Khan, Executive Director, World Agriculture Forum; and Ousmane Abdou, Secretary General, Ministry of Agriculture, Niger. The Seeds Without Borders report provided a framework for cooperation on trade, genetic diversity, technology, research and climate resilience.
The technical programme concluded with the Valedictory Session and Seed Business Awards
Session 1 — Driving Seed Sector Growth: India–Africa Collaboration Opportunities
The panel examined seed trade, market access, technology, investment and business partnerships between India and Africa. The wider Summit speaker roster includes prominent African and Indian seed-sector representatives such as Dr Yacouba Diallo (AfSTA), Muhammed Fatuhu (Nigeria's NASC), Evelyn Lusenaka (Center of Excellence for Seed Systems Africa), Dr Paresh Verma (FSII), Ajeet Kumar Sahu (Government of India) and Ram Kaundinya.
Speakers included Dr Dileepkumar Guntuku, Ajay Kumar, Sanjaykumar Vasoya, Siddharth Tata, Gubba Kiran and Dr Sanjeev Nayan. Discussion ranged from AI-assisted R&D and demand forecasting to digital variety passports, QR traceability, digital trial data, farmer advisory services and geo-mapped seed distribution.
Moderated by Dr Narendra Dadlani, this panel brought together representatives from Mahabeej, AGRA, ICRISAT and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), including Deelip Swami and Evelyn Lusenaka. The focus was on using PPPs to move innovations from research through commercialisation and ultimately into farmers' fields.
Moderated by Sanjay Sethi, ED & CEO of ICFA, the panel included Dr Donald Mavindidze, Elh. Adama Touré, James Marc de Sousa-Shields and Ramalakshmi Penugonda, representing perspectives from the Gates Foundation, World Bank Group, IFAD and NABARD. It explored financing mechanisms across the seed value chain and how investment could support a stronger India–Africa seed corridor.
Moderated by Raghavan Sampathkumar, Executive Director, FSII, the panel comprised Dr B.M. Prasanna (CIMMYT), Gaurav Katyal (ACSEN Agriscience), Sreekanth Chundi (Shriram Bioseed Genetics), Prasad Karumanchi (Prasad Seeds) and Dr Mandar Godge (GRAIN International). It concentrated on commercial opportunities, market access, technology and the practical constraints affecting India–Africa seed trade. LinkedIn
17 September — regulation, resilience and South–South research cooperation
Session 6 — Policy and Regulation in Seed Trade: Fostering India–Africa Collaboration
This addressed one of the major constraints to cross-border seed movement: differences in national variety registration, phytosanitary requirements, intellectual-property frameworks and seed regulations. The official agenda confirms the session, although the indexed programme does not provide its complete speaker list. Seed Summit
Moderated by Dr Keshavulu Kunusoth, the session included Nyasebwa Chimagu, Jobson Momo, Dr Maman Songai and R.P. Naidu, alongside other specialists. Certification and industry authorities from Tanzania, Liberia, Togo, Benin and India compared approaches to seed testing, standards and certification, with the objective of reducing barriers to international seed movement.
Session 8 Climate-Resilient Seed Development: Sharing Best Practices Between India & Africa
This was a dedicated GIZ-organised session on how breeding and seed systems can respond to climate stresses, and how India and Africa can exchange germplasm, technologies and practical experience in developing resilient varieties.
The final online programme was jointly organised by ICRISAT and CIMMYT. Ambassador Rajasekhar Chinthapally moderated, with speakers including Dr Manzoor Hussain Dar, Dr Iyad Takrouri and Manish Tyagi, among others. The discussion connected seed exchange with South–South cooperation in research, technology, trade and climate resilience.
Moderated by Dr Jayaprakash T. of Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), the panel brought together Dr Demba B. Jallow, National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), The Gambia; Dr J. Jawaharlal, ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research; Kossi Djifa Hounkanli, Ministry of Agriculture, Togo; and an ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research representative. Sources differ on the latter's name: the Summit account lists Dr B. Venkatesh Bhat, while the moderator's own account identifies Dr Avinash Singode.
The session addressed a question highly relevant to GFAiR and the Global NARS Consortium (GNC): how genetic gains generated by agricultural research can actually reach farmers, and where India–Africa research partnerships can accelerate that pathway.
The session addressed a question highly relevant to GFAiR and the Global NARS Consortium (GNC): how genetic gains generated by agricultural research can actually reach farmers, and where India–Africa research partnerships can accelerate that pathway.
The technical programme concluded with the Valedictory Session and Seed Business Awards
18 September
field visits to agricultural farms, research institutions, seed-company R&D facilities and seed-processing units.
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