An official delegation of Telangana led by Agriculture Minister S. Nirajan Reddy had a meeting with the Dutch trade mission investors at The Hague in The Netherlands on Tuesday as part of its European visit to study best practices to improve trade pertaining to agriculture.
Mr. Niranjan Reddy addressed the investors at the meeting organised by the Indian Embassy there.
The Dutch trade mission and the investors assured the Telangana delegation of cooperation in developing the seed industry to meet the international standards and also to help in the cultivation of quality groundnut, said the officials of Agriculture Department who accompanied the Minister. A few agreements were also signed between Telangana and The Netherlands during the meeting.
ADVERTISEMENT
The representatives of the Dutch trade mission that visited India from October 14 to 18 also expressed interest in investing in India, particularly in Telangana, at the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador to The Netherlands Venu Rajamony, Vim Van Den of Dutch Research Council, First Secretary (Economic & Commerce) in the Indian Embassy Mrinalini Kaur Sapra, Vice-President of the Government Relations of The Netherlands James Hall and others.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Niranjan Reddy said there has been 72% growth in the exports from India to The Netherlands in the recent years and with 2.3% share, India was the ninth largest partner in the European trade. The Indo-Europe trade, which was worth $23 billion in 2010, increased to $29 billion by 2016.
ADVERTISEMENT
Explaining the salient features of the new industrial policy of Telangana, the Minister said the State government was according priority to seed and food processing industry as the soil and weather conditions in the State were more suitable for quality seed production, processing and storage as also food processing.
Further, he explained how the conditions were most suitable for growing quality paddy, maize, sweet lime, mango, guava, papaya, pomegranate, tomato, sugarcane, onion, carrot, tamarind, chilli, turmeric and others.
The Minister also invited the Dutch trade mission, Agriculture Ministry officials and investors to visit Telangana to explore the opportunities for mutual benefit.
Principal Secretary C. Parthasarathi, Chairman of State Seed Development Corporation K. Koteshwar Rao, Director K. Keshavulu and others also participated in the meeting.
Later, the delegation visited the world’s third largest flower auction centre spread over 128 acres at Asl Amir near Amsterdam.