Over 700 researchers, policy-makers and scientists, including 400 from 80 countries, would brainstorm on seed policies, production and quality aspects at the 32nd Congress of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) to be held in the city from June 26 to July 3.
The Congress, being held for the first time in Asia, would give the youngest State, Telangana, an advantage to project itself as a seed hub in India and showcase the government’s efforts to make it a seed bowl of the country, the Agriculture Minister, Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, said.
At a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Reddy said the conference would also help the Telangana seed industry to go global and make a mark for itself. As of now, the seed industry here is around ₹500-crore worth and the conference is a huge leap with seed manufacturing industries getting an opportunity to directly deal with multinational companies, Mr. Reddy said.
Workshops, symposiums, exhibitions and farmers’ meetings would be part of the week-long conference where the focus would be on new products, seed processing, treatment and equipment. At a workshop being organised in association with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 56 participants from 33 countries would participate where there would be a business interaction with African small and medium seed enterprises to enhance the seed business.
On the positive outcome for Telangana, the Minister said the agriculture and industry policy of the government would bring in more agriculture-related MNCs to Telangana and thus increase employment opportunities here. “The food industry will be a huge sector in the State in the future what with sufficient irrigation water available after Kaleshwaram project is completed. The excess production in the future has to be utilised positively and the government is keen on promoting food processing industries. The policy will take shape soon,” he said.
Commissioner of Agriculture Rahul Bojja and Managing Director of Telangana State Seed Development Corporation K. Keshavulu were among present.
