India Seed Treatment Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030

India Seed Treatment Market Analysis

The India Seed Treatment Market size is estimated at 348.4 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 419.3 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.78% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

India's agricultural landscape is undergoing significant transformation, with seed treatment emerging as a crucial component of modern farming practices. In 2022, approximately 101.3 million hectares, representing 44.4% of the country's total agricultural land, was dedicated to grains and cereals production, highlighting the massive scale of potential seed treatment applications. The agricultural sector has witnessed increased mechanization and adoption of advanced farming techniques, with farmers increasingly recognizing the importance of protecting seeds during the crucial early growth stages. This shift is particularly evident in the standardization of seed treatment practices, with a recorded pesticide consumption of 125.46 grams per hectare in 2022.

The industry is experiencing a notable shift towards pre-treated seeds, driven by both technological advancements and changing farmer preferences. Currently, about 70% of seed requirements are fulfilled by farmers utilizing their own seed stock, which is more vulnerable to seed and soil-borne diseases, creating a substantial opportunity for seed treatment products adoption. Government initiatives are playing a crucial role in this transformation, with several state governments implementing awareness programs and training sessions to educate farmers about modern agricultural practices. For instance, the Government of Madhya Pradesh's recent launch of the spiral grader and seed treatment drum program aims to train farmers across 1,000 villages.

The market is witnessing significant developments in addressing crop-specific challenges, particularly in the fruits and vegetables sector, which achieved a production volume of 311.7 million metric tons in 2021-2022. The industry has developed specialized solutions to combat various plant diseases and pests, with particular attention to addressing the root-knot nematode problem that causes substantial yield losses 34% in carrots, 26% in potatoes, and 23% in tomatoes. This focus on crop-specific solutions has led to the development of more targeted and efficient seed treatment products formulations.

Technological innovation is driving the evolution of seed treatment applications, with companies investing in research and development to create more effective and environmentally sustainable solutions. The industry has seen advancements in seed coating technologies, application methods, and the development of multi-functional treatment solutions that provide protection against multiple threats. These developments are accompanied by improvements in seed treatment machinery and application techniques, enabling more precise and efficient treatment processes. The sector is also witnessing increased adoption of integrated pest management approaches, where seed treatment plays a crucial role in the overall crop protection strategy.

India Seed Treatment Market Trends

Growing awareness and adoption of early control of diseases and pests are raising the seed treatment consumption

• Over the historical period, the per-hectare consumption of seed treatment pesticides has remained consistent. In 2022, the recorded consumption stood at 125.46 grams per hectare. This stability can be attributed to various factors, such as advancements in seed treatment technologies, improved disease and pest management practices, and the efficacy of existing pesticide formulations.
• Seed treatment plays a crucial role in protecting seeds and seedlings against the harmful impact of seed and soil-borne diseases and insect pests. Seed treatment products control pests and diseases in significant crops such as sugarcane (root rot and wilt), groundnut (stem rot, seed rot, seedling rot, and white grubs), and rice (root-knot nematode and root rot disease).
• Crop emergence and growth can be effectively shielded from these detrimental factors by employing seed treatment methods. The significant advantages associated with seed treatment products are driving their indispensable utilization in the agriculture sector.
• Approximately 70% of seed requirements are fulfilled by farmers utilizing their own seed stock. However, these seeds are more vulnerable to seed and soil-borne diseases. Thus, it is crucial to implement seed treatment to safeguard crops from the emergence of diseases and pests. This necessity consequently increased the utilization of seed treatment products.
• Expanding agricultural activities necessitate effective crop protection measures, including seed treatment. Farmers' heightened awareness of the benefits of seed treatment in protecting crops from early-stage diseases and pests has contributed to the increased adoption of these products and their application rates per hectare.

Promotional activities of government agencies to use seed treatments to increase the marketability of seeds

• Seed treatment plays an important role in protecting seeds and seedlings from seed and soil-borne diseases and insect pests affecting crop emergence and growth. Seed-borne diseases and pests are a few major challenges farmers face that decrease crop yield. Cypermethrin, abamectin, azoxystrobin, malathion, and metalaxyl are the most commonly used seed treatment chemicals in India.
• Cypermethrin is a non-systemic soil-acting pyrethroid insecticide seed treatment for reducing wheat bulb fly and wireworm damage to autumn or winter-sown wheat and barley in India. It was valued at a price of USD 21.0 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Abamectin belongs to the ivermectin chemical class and has high intrinsic activity against nematodes. It is used to protect young plants from root-attacking nematodes in the production of corn, soybeans, and cotton. It was priced at USD 8.7 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Azoxystrobin is a broad-spectrum, preventative seed treatment fungicide with systemic properties recommended for the control of Deuteromycetes, Oomycetes, Ascomycetes, and Basidiomycetes fungi that cause yield losses in crops. In 2022, azoxystrobin was priced at USD 4.5 thousand per metric ton.
• Various regulations and government agencies are encouraging the use of seed treatments to increase the marketability of seeds. For instance, the Government of India announced plans to launch a countrywide campaign for ensuring 100% seed treatment in all important crops during the kharif season. Pesticide industry associations, ATMAs, CIPMCs, KVKs, farmers clubs, SAUs, NGOs, etc., can play an important role in the campaign for 100% seed treatment. This is expected to further affect the price of seed treatment chemicals in the country.

Segment Analysis: Function

Insecticide Segment in India Seed Treatment Market

The insecticide seed treatment market continues to dominate the India seed treatment market, accounting for approximately 90% market share in 2024. This dominance is driven by the critical need to protect seeds and seedlings from insect pests during the vulnerable early growth stages. Active ingredients such as imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, fipronil, and chlorpyrifos play a vital role in chemical insecticide seed treatments. The segment's dominance is further reinforced by increasing farmer awareness about the benefits of pre-treated seeds and various government initiatives promoting modern agricultural practices. The segment is also experiencing the fastest growth trajectory, projected to expand at around 4% CAGR from 2024 to 2029, as farmers increasingly recognize the cost-effectiveness of insecticidal seed treatments, which require lower application rates and can reduce reliance on foliar sprays in later crop stages.

Remaining Segments in Function Segmentation

The fungicide and nematicide segments complete the functional categorization of the Indian seed treatment market. Seed treatment fungicide plays a crucial role in protecting seeds from various seed-borne and soil-borne diseases, including seed rots, seedling blights, damping-off, and root rots. Key active ingredients like metalaxyl, carbendazim, thiram, and captan are often used in combination for comprehensive disease control. The nematicide segment, while smaller, serves a vital function in controlling microscopic worms that can significantly damage crops by feeding on roots and impairing nutrient uptake. This is particularly important in high-value crops like fruits and vegetables, where nematode infestations can cause substantial yield losses.

Segment Analysis: Crop Type

Grains & Cereals Segment in India Seed Treatment Market

The grains and cereals segment dominates the Indian seed treatment market, accounting for approximately 44% market share in 2024. This significant share is attributed to the extensive cultivation area dedicated to these crops, with about 101 million hectares of agricultural land being used for growing grains and cereals. Rice, wheat, maize, barley, millets, and sorghum are the primary crops in this segment that require seed treatment protection. These crops are particularly susceptible to various diseases impacting crop yield, quality, and marketability. For instance, rice, being the most-grown crop in India, faces annual losses between 6.5% and 9.5% due to insect pests and diseases, driving the demand for seed treatment solutions. The increasing population in the country is putting pressure on farmers to enhance cereal production and productivity, thus boosting the adoption of seed treatments for better crop protection and yield optimization.

Commercial Crops Segment in India Seed Treatment Market

The commercial crops segment, which includes coffee, cotton, raw jute, sugarcane, tea, and tobacco, is projected to exhibit the highest growth rate of approximately 4% during the forecast period 2024-2029. This growth is primarily driven by the expanding area under cultivation of commercial crops and the increasing need for crop protection during the sowing or planting stages. According to research conducted in India, the application of fungicidal seed treatment chemicals like carbendazim, carboxin, chlorothalonil, triadimefon, and propineb in cotton has shown significant improvements in overall seed germination rates and effectiveness in controlling seed-borne diseases. The effectiveness of these fungicide seed treatments in controlling seed and soil-borne diseases in cash crops during the initial stages of the crop's life cycle, coupled with growing awareness among farmers about the benefits of seed treatment, is expected to drive substantial growth in this segment.

Remaining Segments in Crop Type

The other segments in the Indian seed treatment market include pulses & oilseeds, fruits & vegetables, and turf & ornamental crops, each serving distinct agricultural needs. The pulses & oilseeds segment is crucial for food security and protein requirements, with farmers increasingly adopting seed treatment solutions to combat yield losses from pests and diseases. The fruits & vegetables segment is gaining importance due to the growing focus on quality produce for both domestic consumption and exports, with farmers particularly treating seeds for crops like potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal, onion, and cucumber. The turf & ornamental segment, though smaller, is steadily growing with the increasing trend of urban gardening and landscaping projects in metropolitan areas, driving the demand for treated seeds to ensure better establishment and growth of ornamental plants.

Free With This Report

Along with the report, We also offer a comprehensive and exhaustive data pack with 50+ graphs on insecticide, fungicides, and herbicides consumption per hectare and the average price of active ingredients used in insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, and molluscicides. The data pack includes Globe, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa.