India’s seed industry is expected to grow 50% to $3 billion over the next two years, as subsidies and renewed government thrust on the use of high-yielding varieties to increase productivity are driving demand to unprecedented levels, according to an industry study.

To bring green revolution to the high-potential eastern regions of the country, where the grain productivity level is less than a half of Punjab’s 4.2 tonne per hectare, the government subsidised high-yielding seeds, which have the capacity to push up yield by up to 25%, in the crop year through June. 

With states such as Bihar and Jharkhand having doubled rice production in 2011-12, more states are now interested in promoting the use of such seeds, said industry executives.