Press Release
September 11, 2025 | Hyderabad
“India-Africa Seed Partnership Holds the Key to Global Food Security”
-Shri Thummala Nageswara Rao.
The India-Africa Seed Summit (IASS) 2025 was inaugurated today at Hotel Marigold, Hyderabad, by Shri Thummala Nageswara Rao, Hon’ble 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.
Seeds: Harbingers of Change
In his keynote, Shri 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.
Voices of Africa and Global Cooperation
- H.E. Mr. 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.
- H.E. Ms. 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.
- H.E. 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.
Indian Leadership and Institutional Vision
- Shri 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.
- Mr. 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.
- Dr. Tarun Shridhar, IAS (Retd.), Director General, ICFA, underlined the urgency of innovation, research, and collective action across governments, industry, and international bodies to achieve resilient and sustainable growth.
- Dr. K.S. Narayanaswamy, Chairman & Convenor, IASS 2025, thanked all partners and participants, affirming that the summit “will lay down the roadmap for a future-ready India-Africa seed cooperation platform.”
CEOs’ Roundtable as Prelude to the Summit
On September 10, 2025, as a prelude to the India-Africa Seed Summit, ICFA hosted a CEOs’ Roundtable and Networking Dinner at Hotel Marigold. The gathering brought together leading CEOs, ambassadors, and policymakers, who discussed the immense potential of India-Africa collaboration in the seed sector and set the tone for the deliberations of the main summit.
Partnership Potential and Opportunities
The summit highlighted several priority areas for India-Africa seed cooperation, including:
- Joint R&D and technology transfer for climate-smart, high-yielding, and biofortified seeds
- Harmonization of seed standards and certifications to enable seamless trade
- Establishment of regional seed hubs in Africa with Indian expertise and investment
- Public-private partnerships to scale access and affordability for smallholder farmers
- Farmer empowerment through capacity building, extension services, and knowledge sharing
Outlook
Over the next two days, IASS 2025 will feature high-level policy dialogues, CEO roundtables, B2B meetings, and field visits to seed research and production facilities. These sessions are expected to yield actionable frameworks for cooperation, including the creation of an India-Africa Seed Partnership Platform under the leadership of ICFA.
A Milestone for Agricultural Transformation
The India-Africa Seed Summit 2025 has set a purposeful and historic tone, reinforcing that seeds are at the heart of agricultural transformation. By combining India’s innovation and Africa’s potential, the summit seeks to pave the way for a shared future of food security, prosperity, and sustainability.
Ankit Kumar
Deputy General Manager
Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture
