National Seed Conference begins in Hyd today

Minister for Agriculture Pocharam Srinivas Reddy hopes that the three-day deliberations will help Telangana State emerge as ‘Seed Bowl of India’

Hyderabad: A three-day 8th National Seed Conference will commence at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) on Tuesday, according to Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy here on Monday.

Addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat, Srinivas Reddy said the government was keen to come out with a "New Seed Policy” through the three-day event. The policy would focus on better quality seed production and remunerative price to the farm produce.

Apart from involving about 70 farmers in the deliberations, the conference would take their views and suggestions on current agriculture scenario into considerations. It would help meet the needs of the farmers. The outcome would help Telangana State become a “Seed Bowl of India” as per the wish of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Srinivas Reddy remarked.

The conclave would hold discussions on quality seed, sustainable agriculture development, increase agriculture production and enhance productivity, he said. Innovative ideas and the use of best practices by employing latest equipment and technologies were some of the key subject to be deliberated upon, he said.

The Minister said about 600 delegates, including scientists, researchers, officials, stakeholders and experts would attend the conference. Telangana has major share of 60 per cent of national seeds exports and the programme would rejuvenate its strength and prospects, he hoped. National seed production rose to 254 MTs in 2014 from 196 MTs in 2001, he pointed out.

Srinivas Reddy also said the government would soon announce the list of drought-hit mandals in the State. Further, he said efforts were on to write off farm loans at one go this year, he said.