Rama Krishna Sangem
The India-Africa Seed Summit (IASS) 2025 was inaugurated on September 11 at Hotel Marigold, Hyderabad, by Thummala Nageswara Rao, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Telangana. The Minister emphasized that the India-Africa seed partnership holds the key not only to African food security but also to global challenges of hunger, sustainability, and resilience in agriculture.
The two-day summit, organized by Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, has convened distinguished policymakers, ambassadors, industry leaders, and agricultural experts from across India and Africa to strengthen cooperation in the seed sector — widely regarded as the harbinger of agricultural transformation, said a press release.
In his keynote, Thummala Nageswara Rao said: “Seeds are the beginning of life, the foundation of agriculture, and the harbinger of change. With better seeds, farmers can double yields, withstand climate shocks, and secure livelihoods. India is today the ‘Seed Trade Hub of Asia’ and stands ready to partner with Africa to build resilient, inclusive, and farmer-centered seed systems that can ensure food security for billions.”
He highlighted that India’s expertise in seed science, genetic diversity, and technology transfer, combined with Africa’s vast arable land, young farming population, and rising demand, provides a unique opportunity to shape a win-win partnership.
Leading speakers from Africa said this:
Gilbert Shimane Mangole, High Commissioner of Botswana to India, lauded the summit as a platform for “unlocking Africa’s immense agricultural potential” and stressed the importance of mutually beneficial India-Africa partnerships to boost productivity and strengthen local seed systems.
Lalatiana Accouche, High Commissioner of Seychelles to India, said the summit “serves as a bridge of cooperation between continents,” enabling innovation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange that can empower both farmers and policymakers.
Dr. Mohammed Abdalla Ali Eltom, Ambassador of Sudan to India, praised India’s global leadership in agriculture and called for greater Indo-African collaboration in research, technology transfer, and farmer-centric initiatives to address climate challenges and food security needs.
Leading speakers from India said this:”
Suresh Prabhu, Chairman, ICFA and Former Union Minister, emphasized that “Seeds are not just inputs but instruments of transformation.” He called for strong policy frameworks, institutional cooperation, and global partnerships to elevate India-Africa cooperation and position the two regions as leaders in the global agri-economy.
Dr. Yacouba Diallo, Secretary General, African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to long-term collaboration with India to build sustainable, farmer-friendly seed systems that can drive agricultural transformation across the continent.
Mahesh R. Patel, Chairman, Export Trading Group (ETG), stressed that private sector investments and strong industry participation are critical for building robust seed value chains that serve smallholder farmers as well as agribusiness enterprises, said the press release.