Hyderabad: In a push to bring global expertise into Telangana’s farm sector, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Thursday reviewed a set of proposals aimed at strengthening agriculture through international collaboration. The proposals were presented by a delegation led by K Ramesh Reddy, director, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida. The minister directed officials to constitute a task force to examine the proposals and prepare a roadmap for implementation. He said such partnerships are crucial for introducing advanced technologies in agriculture and enhancing farmers’ incomes. The delegation proposed a collaboration between the University of Florida and Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, focusing on research, extension and education. They suggested setting up a Telangana Digital and Sustainable Agriculture Systems Centre in partnership with the state govt, and University of Florida. The proposed initiatives include the adoption of modern agricultural technologies such as digital and precision farming, artificial intelligence-based systems, remote sensing and drone applications. Discussions also covered developing climate-resilient crops, improving soil health and enhancing water-use efficiency. The delegation further highlighted opportunities to promote high-value crops like strawberries and blueberries, along with processing technologies and industrial development to boost farmers’ income. It also stressed the need to establish food processing and value-addition industries in the state to expand market access and improve returns for farmers.
