FULL-LENGTH RESEARCH ARTICLE A Study on Licensing-Based Determinants of Seed Variety Commercialization from the Perspective of Licensees Neeru Bhooshan 1 • Akriti Sharma 2 • Amarjeet Singh 3 • Satinder Singh 2 Received: 14 September 2023 / Accepted: 15 April 2024 Ó The Author(s), under exclusive licence to National Academy of Agricultural Sciences 2024 Abstract Food crops contribute to food security in developing countries while being planted and harvested for profit in many industrialized countries. To improve food security and farmer income, the National Agricultural Research System of India developed and disseminated many crop varieties through technology transfer. Non-exclusive licensing allowed faster distribution due to multiple players having seed production rights and a market pricing control mechanism. Current literature shows technology transfer mechanism research on non-exclusive licensing is scarce. This study investigates the determinants of crop variety tech transfer in the case of non-exclusive licensing. It collects data from 100 seed licensees of India’s largest agricultural research institute to examine the process from their perspective. Multivariate regression is applied to analyze the data under four domains, i.e., technology, technology transferor, tech transfer procedure, and policy. Technology readiness, availability, and an amicable tech transfer procedure boost technology commercialization, while stringent tech transfer policies negatively affect it. Results are used to create an effective technology transfer action framework to improve crop variety technology dissemination and enhance food security. Keywords Technology commercialization  Tech transfer  Public–private partnership  University-originated technologies  Crop varieties  Agricultural technologies Introduction Food for all is a key focus in Sustainable Development Goals, as the global population is expected to grow by 2050, requiring 70% more food than currently available. The FAO suggests a transformational shift in agriculture to ensure food security. Scientific and technological interventions, such as selective breeding, hybrid seeds, and genetic modification, can help achieve increased produc- tion without putting extra pressure on soil. However, genetic modification is not permitted in many countries. Public research organizations (PROs) and governments invest heavily in developing crop varieties and technology, with technology transfer and productivity enhancement being crucial components of policies to improve food security in countries facing agricultural productivity enhancement. Public–private partnership (PPP) in the agricultural sector has the potential to help modernize the agriculture and food sector delivering multiple benefits that can con- tribute toward sustainable agricultural development and income growth for smallholder farmers [1, 5]. Among various PPPs in agriculture, technology transfer forms a basic element in executing the ’lab to land’ vision by engaging private players in ICAR. Technology transfer is a process through which information on technical know-how & Akriti Sharma aakritinankur@gmail.com; akriti.sharma@icar.gov.in Satinder Singh satinderbhangu88@gmail.com 1 Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India 2 Zonal Technology Management and Business Planning & Development Unit, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India 3 Pusa Krishi, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India 123 Agric Res https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-024-00729-3