African nations keen on importing agricultural seeds from State

Hyderabad: African countries have shown interest in importing paddy and sunflower seeds from Telangana, informed Milinda Gates Foundation officials on Monday.

In a press release, State Agricultural Principal Secretary C Parthasarathi said that a delegation of Milinda Gates Foundation interacted with the Telangana Seed Certification Authority, Director Dr Kesawulu and other senior officials. The visiting delegation was given a presentation on the agricultural sector in the State and the methods and seed production in Telangana.

He briefed that the State is exporting paddy. maize, soybean and other seeds to different countries across the globe and nearly 90 per cent of the hybrid seed demand from within the country is being met from Telangana, he added.

He said the national and international agricultural universities and research institutions, 400 seed companies and processing units around the city give the Hyderabad a complete eco-system for the production and processing and export of quality seeds, Parthasarathi said.Further, the State has set a target of exporting about 1000 tonnes of seeds during the current financial year.