Hyderabad: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Thursday said the Indo-African Seed Summit in the city will strengthen agricultural partnerships between India and African nations. Speaking at the event, he described the summit as more than a trade platform—it’s about building trust, sharing scientific knowledge, and promoting sustainable farming through seed diplomacy.He highlighted India’s Green Revolution success, crediting quality seeds for achieving self-sufficiency in foodgrains. “Without quality seeds, there are no crops, and farmers cannot progress,” he said. He pointed out that many African farmers still use part of their harvest as seeds, limiting productivity, and stressed the importance of timely access to improved seeds. Telangana’s role as India’s seed hub was also emphasised. The state supplies 60% of the country’s seeds, exports to over 20 nations, and houses more than 1,000 seed companies with advanced research and storage facilities. He also detailed the Rythu Bandhu scheme, which deposits subsidies directly into farmers’ accounts, empowering them to buy seeds of their choice. He suggested that similar policies in Africa could enhance food security. He lauded the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, African Seed Trade Association, and other partners for making the event a success.
