India Rice Seed Market Analysis
The India Rice Seed Market size is estimated at 360.6 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 470.4 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.46% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The Indian rice seed industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by evolving agricultural practices and technological advancements. Traditional rice breeding techniques continue to dominate the industry, accounting for 83.5% of rice breeding methods in 2022, while hybrid rice seed breeding represents 16.5%. This disparity stems from economic considerations and plant characteristics, with traditional breeding leading to the development of varieties resistant to evolving pests and diseases. The industry structure is characterized by a strong public sector presence, with 15 state seed corporations and two national seed corporations operating in the country, highlighting the government's commitment to ensuring seed security and quality.
Disease management and trait development have emerged as critical focus areas for seed companies and research institutions. Major biotic constraints can reduce rice yields by 20-100% depending on severity, with diseases such as blast, brown spot, bacterial blight, and sheath blight causing significant damage. In response, seed developers are prioritizing disease resistance traits, which account for 39.3% of major rice traits, followed by drought tolerance at 35.7% and wider adaptability at 21.4%. These developments reflect the industry's adaptation to changing climatic conditions and evolving pest pressures.
The seed industry in India is witnessing a notable shift towards sustainable and climate-resilient varieties. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute's recent development of non-GM herbicide-tolerant rice varieties marks a significant advancement in sustainable rice cultivation. These varieties can be directly seeded and require less water and labor compared to traditional transplanting methods. Companies are increasingly focusing on developing seeds with improved traits such as increased nutrient content and enhanced processing properties, demonstrating the industry's commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Strategic partnerships and research collaborations are reshaping the competitive landscape. Major seed companies are strengthening their presence through partnerships with research institutions and expanding their operational facilities. For instance, Bioseed, a subsidiary of DCM Shriram, has partnered with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop rice varieties resilient to drought and flood conditions. The rice industry in India is also witnessing increased investment in research facilities, with companies actively expanding their capabilities to boost trait development in rice seed innovations. These collaborations are crucial for addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring food security while maintaining seed quality and diversity.
India Rice Seed Market Trends
Various national and state-level schemes promoting rice cultivation and growing demand are driving rice cultivation in India
- India is one of the largest producers and consumers of rice globally, with an overall rice cultivation area of about 46.3 million hectares as of 2022. Indian rice cultivation area accounted for about 32.7% of the Asia-Pacific rice cultivation area in the same year. In India, rice is grown under widely varying altitudes and climate conditions. Rice cultivation in India extends from 8 to 35ºN latitude and from sea level as high as 3000 meters. The khraif season is a major rice-growing season in the country.
- In India, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Bihar, and Punjab are the top states in terms of total area under rice cultivation. Collectively, these states accounted for about 41.6% of the Indian rice cultivation area in 2022. Moreover, various national and state-level schemes, such as the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), actively promote rice cultivation nationwide. These schemes are anticipated to drive rice cultivation in the country during the forecast period.
- The total rice cultivation area in the country increased by about 5.2% between 2017 and 2022. This is further anticipated to increase by about 10.0% and reach 51.6 million hectares by the end of the forecast period. This increase is mainly attributed to the growing domestic demand and the export potential of rice from India. For instance, India exported 22 million metric tons of rice in 2022, worth about USD 9.6 billion.
- The growing demand for rice in both domestic and international markets and the government schemes promoting rice cultivation are the major factors anticipated to drive rice cultivation in India during the forecast period.
High demand for rice seeds with improved traits such as disease resistance, wider adaptability to different regions and climatic conditions
- In India, rice is a major crop occupying the largest area for cultivation in the country. Since the Green Revolution, a number of varieties of rice have been introduced in the country. Currently, conventional hybrids are being replaced with hybrids with advanced traits as the crop is affected by biotic stresses and different pests such as Tryporyza incertulas and Gundhi bugs. Therefore, companies are offering hybrid seeds and herbicide-tolerant transgenic seeds to growers to increase productivity and earn high profits. A major biotic constraint to rice diseases can reduce yields by 20-100%, depending on severity. Major diseases such as blast, brown spot, bacterial blight, sheath blight, and tungro viral disease cause significant damage, and new minor diseases such as false smut, grain discoloration, early seedling blight, narrow brown spot, and sheath rot have also emerged as significant problems. Various factors, including growing conditions and varietal susceptibility, can lead to losses of 1-100%.
- Major traits available in rice are disease resistance, wider adaptability to different regions and climatic conditions, tolerance to water lodging conditions, moisture stress, and drought tolerance, producing an effective and high number of tillers with extensive panicles used in cultivation. Disease-tolerant varieties are in huge demand, especially BLB (bacterial leaf blight), to increase yields. Currently, there are no effective chemicals against this pathogen, which causes up to 50% yield losses in field conditions.
- The demand for rice seeds with improved traits is increasing as farmers are turning toward sustainable agriculture. Thus, the market for seeds with improved traits is anticipated to show a positive trend during the forecast period.
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Traditional breeding dominates the market due to its ability to produce varieties with preferred characteristics such as taste, aroma, and texture
Segment Analysis: Breeding Technology
Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives Segment in India Rice Seed Market
Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs) and hybrid derivatives dominate the Indian rice seed market, commanding approximately 84% of the market share in 2024. This significant market dominance is primarily attributed to their affordability for small-scale farmers and the ability to save and replant seeds, offering an economical option for growers. The segment's strength is further reinforced by the lower input requirements for fertilizers and pesticides compared to hybrid varieties, making them particularly attractive to low-income farmers. Additionally, OPVs demonstrate superior adaptability to local growing conditions and reduce dependence on hybrid seed imports. The public sector seed corporations, including 15 state seed corporations and two national seed corporations, maintain a strong presence in this segment, ensuring widespread availability and distribution. The segment's popularity is also driven by the traditional preferences of Indian farmers, who value specific tastes, aromas, textures, and cooking qualities that are characteristic of traditional rice varieties such as amsipiti dhan, chomala, and samba.

Hybrids Segment in India Rice Seed Market
The hybrid rice seed segment is demonstrating robust growth potential in the Indian rice seed market, projected to grow at approximately 6% during 2024-2029. This growth trajectory is driven by several key factors, including the segment's ability to deliver superior yields and enhanced resistance to various diseases and pests. Hybrid rice seed varieties are increasingly gaining traction among farmers due to their wider adaptability to different agro-climatic conditions and improved buffering capacity against environmental fluctuations. The segment's growth is further supported by ongoing research and development initiatives by major seed companies, focusing on developing varieties with enhanced traits such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, and improved processing properties. The increasing adoption of hybrid seeds is also attributed to their ability to produce up to 50% higher yields compared to conventional varieties, making them an attractive option for farmers looking to maximize their productivity and profitability despite their higher initial costs.
India Rice Seed Industry Overview
Top Companies in India Rice Seed Market
The Indian paddy seed company in India market is characterized by companies focusing heavily on product innovations and research-driven development. Major players are strengthening their presence through strategic partnerships, particularly with research institutions and agricultural organizations, to develop improved rice seeds varieties. Companies are investing in expanding their operational facilities and research centers across different agro-climatic zones to develop region-specific varieties. The trend shows increased emphasis on developing non-GMO rice seeds varieties with enhanced traits such as disease resistance and drought tolerance. Market leaders are actively pursuing the diversification of rice varieties through the expansion of research facilities to boost trait development in rice seed innovations. Additionally, companies are adopting various distribution strategies and establishing strong networks of dealers and distributors to ensure last-mile delivery to farmers.
Fragmented Market with Strong Local Players
The competitive landscape is highly fragmented, with a mix of large multinational corporations and established local players. The market structure shows a strong presence of domestic companies that have built significant market share through their understanding of local agricultural conditions and farmer preferences. While global agrochemical giants maintain their presence through advanced research capabilities and international germplasm access, local seed companies dominate through their extensive distribution networks and regional expertise. The market shows limited consolidation, with the top players collectively holding only about one-third of the market share, indicating significant opportunities for growth and expansion.
The market demonstrates a notable absence of significant merger and acquisition activities, with companies instead focusing on organic growth and strategic collaborations. Public sector seed corporations maintain a strong presence in the cereals segment, including rice seeds, with multiple state and national seed corporations actively operating in the market. The competitive dynamics are further shaped by the presence of numerous small and medium-sized seed companies that cater to specific regional markets and maintain strong relationships with local farming communities.
Innovation and Distribution Drive Market Success
Success in the market increasingly depends on companies' ability to develop improved varieties that address specific regional challenges while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Market leaders are focusing on strengthening their research and development capabilities, particularly in developing varieties with enhanced traits such as disease resistance and drought tolerance. Companies need to establish strong partnerships with agricultural research institutions and maintain robust quality control systems to ensure consistent seed performance. Additionally, building and maintaining extensive distribution networks has become crucial for market success, as it ensures timely availability of seeds to farmers across different regions.
For new entrants and smaller players, the key to gaining market share lies in developing specialized varieties for specific regions or addressing particular agricultural challenges. Companies need to focus on building strong relationships with farming communities through extensive extension services and technical support. The regulatory environment, particularly regarding seed quality standards and certification requirements, continues to shape market dynamics and entry barriers. Future success will increasingly depend on companies' ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions and evolving farmer preferences while maintaining competitive pricing strategies and ensuring consistent seed quality. Companies like Advanta paddy seeds and Bioseed paddy varieties are examples of entities that have successfully navigated these challenges in the seed industry in India.
India Rice Seed Market Leaders
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Advanta Seeds - UPL
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Kaveri Seeds
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Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. (Mahyco)
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Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd
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Syngenta Group
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
India Rice Seed Market News
- June 2021: Bioseed, a subsidiary of DCM Shriram, launched a Bio-Innovation Center through the IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) partnership. It is a new initiative focused on research products and innovations.
- September 2020: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) signed a partnership agreement with hybrid seed-producing company Bioseed to develop new hybrid seed varieties of rice.
- March 2020: Corteva Agriscience launched paddy seeds under the Brevant brand for rice farmers in India. These seeds are available through selected business collaborators in a few states.
Free With This Report
We provide a complimentary and exhaustive set of data points on regional and country-level metrics that present the fundamental structure of the industry. Presented in the form of 90+ free charts, the section covers difficult-to-find data from various regions regarding the area under cultivation for different crops within the scope
List of Tables & Figures
- Figure 1:
- AREA UNDER CULTIVATION OF RICE, HECTARE, INDIA, 2017-2022
- Figure 2:
- VALUE SHARE OF MAJOR RICE TRAITS, %, INDIA, 2022
- Figure 3:
- VALUE SHARE OF RICE BREEDING TECHNIQUES, %, INDIA, 2022
- Figure 4:
- VOLUME OF RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 5:
- VALUE OF RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 6:
- VOLUME OF RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 7:
- VALUE OF RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 8:
- VOLUME SHARE OF RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES, %, INDIA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 9:
- VALUE SHARE OF RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES, %, INDIA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 10:
- VOLUME OF RICE SEED BY HYBRIDS CATEGORIES, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 11:
- VALUE OF RICE SEED BY HYBRIDS CATEGORIES, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 12:
- VOLUME SHARE OF RICE SEED BY HYBRIDS CATEGORIES, %, INDIA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 13:
- VALUE SHARE OF RICE SEED BY HYBRIDS CATEGORIES, %, INDIA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 14:
- VOLUME OF NON-TRANSGENIC HYBRIDS RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 15:
- VALUE OF NON-TRANSGENIC HYBRIDS RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 16:
- VALUE SHARE OF NON-TRANSGENIC HYBRIDS RICE SEED BY HYBRIDS, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 17:
- VOLUME OF OPEN POLLINATED VARIETIES & HYBRID DERIVATIVES RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 18:
- VALUE OF OPEN POLLINATED VARIETIES & HYBRID DERIVATIVES RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 19:
- VALUE SHARE OF OPEN POLLINATED VARIETIES & HYBRID DERIVATIVES RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 20:
- VALUE OF RICE SEED BY STATE CATEGORIES, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 21:
- VOLUME OF RICE SEED BY STATE CATEGORIES, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 22:
- VOLUME SHARE OF RICE SEED BY STATE CATEGORIES, %, INDIA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 23:
- VALUE SHARE OF RICE SEED BY STATE CATEGORIES, %, INDIA, 2017 VS 2023 VS 2030
- Figure 24:
- VOLUME OF ANDHRA PRADESH RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 25:
- VALUE OF ANDHRA PRADESH RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 26:
- VALUE SHARE OF ANDHRA PRADESH RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 27:
- VOLUME OF ASSAM RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 28:
- VALUE OF ASSAM RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 29:
- VALUE SHARE OF ASSAM RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 30:
- VOLUME OF BIHAR RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 31:
- VALUE OF BIHAR RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 32:
- VALUE SHARE OF BIHAR RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 33:
- VOLUME OF CHHATTISGARH RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 34:
- VALUE OF CHHATTISGARH RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 35:
- VALUE SHARE OF CHHATTISGARH RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 36:
- VOLUME OF ODISHA RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 37:
- VALUE OF ODISHA RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 38:
- VALUE SHARE OF ODISHA RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 39:
- VOLUME OF PUNJAB RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 40:
- VALUE OF PUNJAB RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 41:
- VALUE SHARE OF PUNJAB RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 42:
- VOLUME OF TAMIL NADU RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 43:
- VALUE OF TAMIL NADU RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 44:
- VALUE SHARE OF TAMIL NADU RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 45:
- VOLUME OF TELANGANA RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 46:
- VALUE OF TELANGANA RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 47:
- VALUE SHARE OF TELANGANA RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 48:
- VOLUME OF UTTAR PRADESH RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 49:
- VALUE OF UTTAR PRADESH RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 50:
- VALUE SHARE OF UTTAR PRADESH RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 51:
- VOLUME OF WEST BENGAL RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 52:
- VALUE OF WEST BENGAL RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 53:
- VALUE SHARE OF WEST BENGAL RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 54:
- VOLUME OF OTHER STATES RICE SEED, METRIC TON, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 55:
- VALUE OF OTHER STATES RICE SEED, USD, INDIA, 2017 - 2030
- Figure 56:
- VALUE SHARE OF OTHER STATES RICE SEED BY BREEDING TECHNOLOGY, %, INDIA, 2023 AND 2030
- Figure 57:
- MOST ACTIVE COMPANIES BY NUMBER OF STRATEGIC MOVES, COUNT, INDIA, 2017-2023
- Figure 58:
- MOST ADOPTED STRATEGIES, COUNT, INDIA, 2017-2023
- Figure 59:
- VALUE SHARE OF MAJOR PLAYERS, %, INDIA
India Rice Seed Industry Segmentation
Hybrids, Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives are covered as segments by Breeding Technology. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal are covered as segments by State.Breeding Technology | Hybrids | Non-Transgenic Hybrids |
Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives | ||
State | Andhra Pradesh | |
Assam | ||
Bihar | ||
Chhattisgarh | ||
Odisha | ||
Punjab | ||
Tamil Nadu | ||
Telangana | ||
Uttar Pradesh | ||
West Bengal | ||
Other States |
Hybrids | Non-Transgenic Hybrids |
Open Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives |
Andhra Pradesh |
Assam |
Bihar |
Chhattisgarh |
Odisha |
Punjab |
Tamil Nadu |
Telangana |
Uttar Pradesh |
West Bengal |
Other States |
Market Definition
- Commercial Seed - For the purpose of this study, only commercial seeds have been included as part of the scope. Farm-saved Seeds, which are not commercially labeled are excluded from scope, even though a minor percentage of farm-saved seeds are exchanged commercially among farmers. The scope also excludes vegetatively reproduced crops and plant parts, which may be commercially sold in the market.
- Crop Acreage - While calculating the acreage under different crops, the Gross Cropped Area has been considered. Also known as Area Harvested, according to the Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO), this includes the total area cultivated under a particular crop across seasons.
- Seed Replacement Rate - Seed Replacement Rate is the percentage of area sown out of the total area of crop planted in the season by using certified/quality seeds other than the farm-saved seed.
- Protected Cultivation - The report defines protected cultivation as the process of growing crops in a controlled environment. This includes greenhouses, glasshouses, hydroponics, aeroponics, or any other cultivation system that protects the crop against any abiotic stress. However, cultivation in an open field using plastic mulch is excluded from this definition and is included under open field.
Keyword | Definition |
---|---|
Row Crops | These are usually the field crops which include the different crop categories like grains & cereals, oilseeds, fiber crops like cotton, pulses, and forage crops. |
Solanaceae | These are the family of flowering plants which includes tomato, chili, eggplants, and other crops. |
Cucurbits | It represents a gourd family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera. The major crops considered for this study include Cucumber & Gherkin, Pumpkin and squash, and other crops. |
Brassicas | It is a genus of plants in the cabbage and mustard family. It includes crops such as carrots, cabbage, cauliflower & broccoli. |
Roots & Bulbs | The roots and bulbs segment includes onion, garlic, potato, and other crops. |
Unclassified Vegetables | This segment in the report includes the crops which don’t belong to any of the above-mentioned categories. These include crops such as okra, asparagus, lettuce, peas, spinach, and others. |
Hybrid Seed | It is the first generation of the seed produced by controlling cross-pollination and by combining two or more varieties, or species. |
Transgenic Seed | It is a seed that is genetically modified to contain certain desirable input and/or output traits. |
Non-Transgenic Seed | The seed produced through cross-pollination without any genetic modification. |
Open-Pollinated Varieties & Hybrid Derivatives | Open-pollinated varieties produce seeds true to type as they cross-pollinate only with other plants of the same variety. |
Other Solanaceae | The crops considered under other Solanaceae include bell peppers and other different peppers based on the locality of the respective countries. |
Other Brassicaceae | The crops considered under other brassicas include radishes, turnips, Brussels sprouts, and kale. |
Other Roots & Bulbs | The crops considered under other roots & bulbs include Sweet Potatoes and cassava. |
Other Cucurbits | The crops considered under other cucurbits include gourds (bottle gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, Snake gourd, and others). |
Other Grains & Cereals | The crops considered under other grains & cereals include Barley, Buck Wheat, Canary Seed, Triticale, Oats, Millets, and Rye. |
Other Fibre Crops | The crops considered under other fibers include Hemp, Jute, Agave fibers, Flax, Kenaf, Ramie, Abaca, Sisal, and Kapok. |
Other Oilseeds | The crops considered under other oilseeds include Ground nut, Hempseed, Mustard seed, Castor seeds, safflower seeds, Sesame seeds, and Linseeds. |
Other Forage Crops | The crops considered under other forages include Napier grass, Oat grass, White clover, Ryegrass, and Timothy. Other forage crops were considered based on the locality of the respective countries. |
Pulses | Pigeon peas, Lentils, Broad and horse beans, Vetches, Chickpeas, Cowpeas, Lupins, and Bambara beans are the crops considered under pulses. |
Other Unclassified Vegetables | The crops considered under other unclassified vegetables include Artichokes, Cassava Leaves, Leeks, Chicory, and String beans. |
Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: IDENTIFY KEY VARIABLES: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases, and Subscription Platforms