Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has invited UPL Ltd. to test out its product that can retain and release 2,000 litres of water per acre.
In a meeting with UPL Ltd Global CEO Jai Shroff on the third day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) conference at Davos, Mr. Naidu explained the State government’s initiatives in the agriculture sector. The products of the UPL would usher a new revolution in agriculture. The company could test its products and technologies in AP, he said.
The UPL representatives said they had a 2,000-litre capacity product that would absorb water in the field and release it slowly during a dry spell.
They were now testing it in some parts of India. The innovation would reduce the risk of drought and increase the productivity by about 30% to 40%, they said.
The UPL is a global player in the crop protection space with its portfolio ranging from patented, proprietary and post-patented products.
At another meeting, Airbus Defense and Space CEO Dirk Hoke told the CM that the Airbus would execute its project in India this year. He also invited Mr. Naidu to visit their manufacturing units in various countries.
The Airbus is working on clearances to start manufacturing their transport aircraft C-295 in India. Mr. Naidu said the Tata-Airbus, a joint venture, was at advanced stage and would also be a huge boost to the Make in India initiative.
Vedanta towers in Vizag
The Chief Minister had a bilateral meeting with Vedanta Resources Plc. chairman Anil Agarwal. He assured Mr. Hoke and Mr. Agarwal of all support for starting their operations.
The company is building twin towers in Visakhapatnam called the Vedanta towers, for which land and permissions have been approved. They are also planning a university township in India on the lines of the Boston University.
The Chief Minister had an interaction with Dr. Tobias Dauth from Fraunhofer IMW, a technology research organisation in Leipzig.
Mr. Naidu met Nanyang Technological University (NTU) president Dr. Subra Suresh and explained him the initiatives such as connecting remote areas with Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC), e-Pragati and Real Time Governance. He also explained establishing 6,000 virtual class rooms and use of drones and sensors in various fields.
Cloud hub
“We have brought out a cloud hub policy and also have set up nearly 20,000 CCTV cameras,” he said. “We want to transform our State into a smart State.”
Dr. Subra Suresh invited the CM to visit their campus in Singapore. “Our campus is the most eco friendly campus in the world,” he said.
