Indian Chief Minister Visits Iowa State University To Launch Seed Research Project

ISU officials welcome Chief Minister N. Chandrababu NaiduIndian Chief Minister Visits Iowa State University To Launch Seed Research Project

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University has signed an agreement to partner with the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to create a seed research center.

The agreement marks the beginning of the inception phase to establish an Andhra Pradesh Seed Research and Technology Business Center and Mega Seed Park in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. As part of the project, ISU will work with the Andhra Pradesh state government, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University and other state agencies to achieve and ensure continued seed security through science-led innovations, policies and public-private partnerships.

“This is an exciting culmination to many months of collaboration,” said Manjit Misra, director of Iowa State’s Seed Science Center. “By signing this agreement, we will work together to enhance the production of, and access to, quality seeds to benefit smallholders across the state of Andrah Pradesh”

Jonathan Wickert, ISU senior vice president and provost, and Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences welcomed Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and an 11-member delegation May 7. Consul General Neeta Bhushan and Consul D.B. Bhati from the Indian Consulate in Chicago, also attended.

“The vision of this project is to address the seed security of Andhra Pradesh and provide access to quality seed to its farming community,” said Dileepkumar Guntuku, Seed Science Center global program leader. “This Mega Seed Park, the first of its kind in Asia, will serve as a reference center to develop the seed leaders of tomorrow. It will promote public-private partnerships to improve and strengthen the formal seed sector, provide facilities and services and promote seed entrepreneurship and seed trade through the use of science-based seed policies and regulations.”

The Seed Science Center is a center of excellence in seeds at Iowa State. Its mission is to improve the production, quality assurance, marketing, utilization and regulatory environment of seed through research, testing, teaching, outreach and international programs.
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ISU, Andrah Pradesh Sign Inception Agreement
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Endowed Dean Wendy Wintersteen shakes hands with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara  Chandrababu Naidu following the signing of an inception agreement at the ISU Research Park May 7.
 
Top Photo: Jonathan Wickert, ISU senior vice president and provost, and Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences welcome Andrah Pradesh Chief Minster Nara Chandrababu Naidu and his delegation to the Seed Science Center May 7.

5/11/17, Iowa State University
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/indian-chief-minister-visits-iowa-state-university-launch-seed-research-project