Telangana Govt discusses student exchange programme for agriculture development with Maryland University

MARYLAND,USA: Telangana Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, who is on his fifth day of his tour to the United States of America (USA, visited Maryland State University and met the Dean and Director of the University, Craig Beyrouty on Friday.

Niranjan Reddy held discussions with Maryland University faculty related to the field of biotechnology such as genome editing and other genetic tools. Discussions were focused on innovative agricultural technology faculty exchange programmes for Agricultural Development and a long-term student exchange programme. (Also funds matching grants for University of Maryland Student Exchange).

Niranjan Reddy said that assistance in matters related to soil management, soil health maintenance and improvement, cattle health problems and issues related to animal husbandry were also discussed. The National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the US Department of Agriculture had come forward to support Telangana, he said and added that proposals for further agricultural development in Telangana would be prepared and submitted to them.

Maryland University played a key role in developing cutting-edge technologies related to robotics and artificial intelligence. Apart from that, the University was known for making useful research and discoveries in key areas like medicine and agriculture, he said. Later, Niranjan Reddy held a meeting with the representatives of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) at its headquarters in Washington DC, USA.

The discussions aimed at strengthening agricultural cooperation between Telangana and IFPRI. Dr David Spielman Director, Innovation Policy and Scaling and Dr Paul Dorosh, IFPRI Director of Development Strategies and Governance were also present. Niranjan Reddy was accompanied by Telangana Agriculture Secretary Raghunandan Rao, ISTA Presidents, Telangana Seed Development Corporation MD Kesavulu during the visit to Maryland University and IFPRI.