India and Netherlands Strengthen Cooperation Through Seed Partnership

India and the Netherlands are exploring opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in the seed sector through the India–Netherlands Seed Partnership, following a knowledge and trade mission led by Dutch Minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture Silvio Erkens.

The mission included a bilateral meeting between Erkens and India’s Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, focusing on longstanding agricultural cooperation and opportunities to deepen collaboration in seed production, innovation and trade.

Seed Sector Business Roundtable

Another highlight was the India–Netherlands Seed Sector Business Roundtable, organised by the India–Netherlands Seed Forum. Indian and Dutch seed companies discussed opportunities, challenges and priorities for future cooperation, including improving farmers’ access to quality seed.

SeedNL Director Willem Schoustra joined the mission alongside Michiel Klompenhouwer, Director of Plantum. They engaged with Indian and Dutch companies, visited HORTICONNECT INDIA 2026 and met companies active across the seed and agrifood sectors.

Dutch Minister Silvio Erkens and Indian representatives during discussions on strengthening the India–Netherlands Seed Partnership.

The mission was supported by the Netherlands Embassy in India, the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Mumbai, the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bengaluru, the Netherlands Agricultural Network, Netherlands Enterprise Agency and Sathguru Management Consultants. 

The partners said they look forward to building on the discussions and taking the India–Netherlands Seed Partnership further.