Centre to establish "Seed Vally" in AP : Official

Hyderabad, Mar 8 (UNI) The Union Government has decided to promote Andhra Pradesh as 'Seed Vally' of the country on the lines of emerging the State as Genome Vally, an official said today.

Speaking to newspersons here, the State Agriculture Commissioner Poonam Malakondaiah said the Centre has selected the State to establish Seed Vally in the country because of good climatic conditions and congenial atmosphere for producing wide variety of seeds to meet the increasing demand of the seeds in other States.

Stating that the public and private institutions and farmers would take part as stake-holders in the proposed Seed Vally, Ms Poonam said the Centrally sponsored Seed Vally project would promote the production of quality seeds, packaging facilities, besides supporting the Research and Development and seed trade at national and international level.

Agricultural Universities, seed testing labs, private seed production companies and farmers, would participate actively in the activities of the 'Seed Valley'.

She said the Government was preparing a detailed project report for the proposed 'Seed Valley', which would be submitted to the Centre at the earliest.

Observing that the State Government was encouraging organic seed production at seed villages, constituted last year, Ms Poonam said organic seed production would also be given importance in 'Seed Vally' project in which the farmers and Self Help Groups (SHGs) play a vital role.

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