The summit in Hyderabad aims to deepen agriculture ties between India and African nations via “seed diplomacy”.
- Indian Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said the collaboration focuses not just on trade, but building trust, sharing scientific knowledge, and promoting sustainable farming.
- A key problem identified is many African farmers still using part of the harvest as seeds, which limits productivity; hence quality seed access is crucial.
- Telangana plays a big role: it produces about 60% of India’s seeds, exports to 20+ countries, and has strong seed infrastructure.
- The Indian scheme Rythu Bandhu (providing direct subsidy to farmers so they can buy seeds) was mentioned, with suggestions such schemes could be useful in African countries to enhance food security.
Co‑hosted by the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) and the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA).
The goal: strengthen cooperation in seed trade, investment, technology, joint research & development, regulation alignment, climate‑resilient seed varieties, and policy frameworks.
India is considering doubling exports to Africa (to roughly USD $200 billion by 2030), with agro‑products being a key part of that effort.
- The article states that India can support African countries in ensuring food security by sharing seed technology, setting up incubation centres, etc.
- African countries (South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Mauritius) funding joint projects in agriculture among others.
- The “India‑Africa Seeds Bridge” project is intended to improve seed systems in Africa: providing better seeds to farmers, creating markets for Indian seed companies, etc.
- Two CGIAR centres (ICRISAT, ILRI) are involved in joint work: incubators, value‑chain support, livestock research, etc
