DW BUREAU / MOHALI University School of Agriculture Sciences of the Rayat Bahra University organised an expert talk on "Opportunities in Seed Enterprise" by Dr Priya Ranjan, Principal Scientist, Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI). In his lecture Dr Priya Ranjan discussed the start-up plans of seed business, risk and management plans and promotion and marketing of the seed enterprise. He also introduced many exclusive examples and challenges in seed business. Dr Ranjan said the seed is the beginning of plant life and in its very nature, improved high quality seed is a major catalyst for improved crop yields, agricultural development and livelihoods. He also explained how to overcome risky contract seed production system. He dwelt on the five most essential points of seed business which he enumerated as customer demand forecasting and planning, production area and grower selection, field selection and crop production, harvesting seed quality and packing and distribution. Sukhjeet Singh, Managing Director of A-one Seeds Company, shared his experiences. He described various opportunities available in modern agriculture. He also explained to the students how to obtain facilitates available with his company. A MoU was signed between A-one Seeds Company and University School of Agriculture Sciences for training of agriculture students of the Rayat Bahra University. Dr Parvinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Rayat Bahra University, stressed on the need for organizing more such talks for the benefit of the students. Dr Amita Mahajan, Head of the Department of Agriculture, welcoming the guests underlined the importance of agriculture in Indian economy. (editor@dailyworld.in)