With expanding private sector participation in the seed sector a need arose to have an official body
representing private interests. Accordingly, the seed entrepreneurs’ association of Nepal was formed in 1981 through the initiative of a dynamic group of private producers.

Initiated in the year 1989 the seed entrepreneurs’ association of Nepal (SEAN) was registered with
HMG/Nepal in 1991 as a non-profit organization. It is an association integrating Nepali seed
entrepreneurs’ engaged in production, processing, marketing of Nepali seeds.

Nepal, varied agro-climatic regions with areas situated 60-meter msl to the Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest),
8848-meter msl having annual precipitation ranging from less than 500 mm, offers good potential for
growth and development of the seed industry. Currently, it is estimated that less than half seed
requirements (about 500 MT) of high value seed (of vegetable crops) are commercially handled of which
market share of private sector is more than four-fifth. With huge regional seed market in SAARC region and suitable seed production areas with fairly trained low cost manpower coupled with the government’s liberal industrial and economic policies, the scope for the growth and development of seed industry in Nepal is immense. The vegetable seed production had been categorized as the national priority industry under the Industrial Enterprise Act 1992. The act has also included the export oriented agro based industry as the national priority industry. The industries falling “National Priority” as the vegetable seed production are eligible for a number of incentives and facilities.

OBJECTIVES

General

Organizing individual entrepreneurs, companies engaged in the Nepali seed industry in the private
sector to improve production, processing and marketing of high quality seed has been the major
purpose of this association.

Specific
Organize the seed entrepreneurs’ (Seed firms and individuals) in the private sector;
Organize regional seed production and marketing workshop and arrange contractual seed production and marketing p lanning between seed entrepreneurs and farmers;
Promote production, processing and marketing of high quality seeds by the private seed entrepreneurs;
Liaise and coordinate with HMG/Nepal related agencies of professional to promote and incorporate increased to involvement of private sector in the National Seed Program;
Liaise and coordinate with the seed related national and international agencies of professional to
promote exchange of scientific knowledge;
Provide consultative service support national and international institutions/individuals on seed related issues.

SEAN WORKS FOR:

Export of Nepal produced seed Custom production of seeds for export, and Joint venture tie-up in seed sector.