Telangana Gains Global Recognition As Indias Seed Bowl

When the state of Telangana was formed in 2014, profound interventions in agriculture, reforms in the farming sector, and the adoption of latest technologies, brought an unprecedented revolution in how rural Telangana earns its livelihood. Quality seeds and industrious farmers have emerged as the backbone of a rare revolution currently underway in Telangana. More than 3 lakh farmers are engaged in seed production in different parts of the State. The work force comprises of 50,000 skilled workers, 2 lakh unskilled and another 50,000 who are working in the allied sectors.

Bringing alive the vision of the Chief Minister, K Chandrashekar Rao, Telangana has now been recognised as a “Global Seed Hub'.

Over 400 national and multinational companies established their bases in Telangana to set up processing plants as well as warehouses to store the seeds produced here.

Seed varieties for 18 crops like Paddy, Maize, Green Gram, Black Gram, Tomato among many others are produced in Telangana and have been certified as per world standard by the International Seed Testing Association.

In today's world, there is an urgent need to feed the growing population and with the establishment of Telangana State Seeds Development Corporation, the state has set standards for native seed in ecological restoration and is supplying seeds to 9 states across the country, thereby contributing to a major chunk of national seed requirement every year.

Quality seed production for 80 varieties are being done through available Research and Development facilities, along with a processing capacity of 6.43 lakh quintal per annum. Moreover, the state has storage facilities of about 5.32 lakh quintal for distribution of seed to the farmers in time, at an affordable price in coordination with Certification agency, Private seed organisations, NGOs, and cooperatives.

Today, the state is producing a total of 1,60,441 quintals of seeds (2021-2022) across 33,619 acres, with a seed production value of Rs.6,487 lakhs. With these initiatives, Telangana is not only ensuring food security for its own citizens, but also for the whole country.