ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR) in Hyderabad has developed a biopolymer-based Smart Seed Coating Technology that recorded yield improvements of up to 30 per cent in groundnut and soybean under farmer-field conditions in Telangana, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on 18 June 2025. Broader multi-location trials across seven crops showed productivity gains ranging from 12 to 37 per cent over untreated controls.

How the Technology Works

The patented coating uses biodegradable biopolymers to form a multifunctional protective layer around seeds. This layer acts as a carrier system, delivering beneficial microorganisms, nutrients, micronutrients, crop protection agents, and plant growth-promoting compounds directly at the seed-soil interface.

The resulting microenvironment around each seed promotes rapid germination, vigorous seedling growth, enhanced root development, and improved tolerance to environmental stresses — all during the critical crop establishment phase, when losses to stress are typically highest.

Trial Results Across Crops

Multi-location All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) seed trials covered soybean, maize, groundnut, chickpea, cotton, mustard, and pigeon pea. All seven crops showed consistent improvements in seedling vigour, crop establishment, and final yield. Productivity gains across this diverse set ranged from 12 to 37 per cent over untreated controls, according to the ministry statement.

Demonstrations conducted under actual farmer-field conditions in Telangana recorded nearly 30 per cent yield improvements in groundnut and soybean compared with conventional farming practices.

Why Rainfed Farming Stands to Gain Most

The technology is described as particularly relevant for rainfed agriculture, which accounts for a major share of India's cultivated area and remains highly vulnerable to erratic rainfall, drought, and temperature extremes. By strengthening seed performance at the earliest growth stage, the approach offers what officials call one of the most cost-effective and scalable routes to improving farm productivity.

This comes amid mounting pressure on Indian agriculture from climate change, soil degradation, emerging pest and disease threats, and declining resource-use efficiency — challenges that conventional seed treatments have struggled to address comprehensively.

Crops Covered and Scale-Up Plans

The technology can be customised for cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, fibre crops, fodder crops, vegetables, spices, and horticultural crops, making it applicable across virtually the full breadth of Indian agriculture. ICAR-IIOR scientists noted that future agricultural growth will increasingly depend on technologies that improve the efficiency of every input used by farmers.

The institute is actively promoting partnerships with both public and private seed systems for large-scale dissemination and adoption. The commercialisation pathway and timelines for broader farmer access have not yet been specified in the official statement.