OECD, ISF officials pat TS efforts in seed sector

Hyderabad: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Official Seba Gaspar said Telangana State has the potential in the production of quality seeds and to export the same to several African countries through the OECD certification.

She expressed this while interacting with Telangana Seed Certification Authority (TSCA) Director Dr K Keshavulu during a two-day conference held at Paris. During the meetings, Keshavulu highlighted the State government initiatives to transform Telangana into an international seed hub, as part of its vision of making the State a 'Seed Bowl'.

He said that the State is not only suitable for the production of quality seeds but also, "storing, processing and packing of the seeds." Keshavulu said that there are nearly 400 seed industries in the State with a turnover of Rs 6,000 crore seed trade. It was for the first time that the State has exported certified seeds to the partner countries of the OECD.

During his interaction with the official, the International Seed Federation (ISF), Secretary General Michel Keller said that at a time when Telangana is becoming a seed hub in Asia, it should be ahead in informing the ISD on issues related to the challenges and problems of the seed industry will likely to face in the future.

Keshavulu also interacted with the Indian Ambassador to Italy, Reenat Sandhu and briefed on the exports of seeds from the State to Egypt, Sudan, Philippines, Tanzania, Italy and other countries.

The Indian Ambassador said that exporting seeds to Italy provides a good opportunity to access seed exports to the European countries. Reenat also assured to arrange a meeting between the TS seed authority and the representatives of the seed industry in Italy.