TNAU-Private Seed Sector Research Consortium Meet
The university does not possess the capacity to multiply and market seeds according to the requirement of the farmers. To find a solution to this, the consortium approach has been initiated, P. Subbian, Director, Agri-Business Development, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), said here recently.Speaking at the TNAU-Private Seed Sector Research Consortium Meet held at the university, he said the university released high-performance varieties and hybrids on a regular basis. But, they did not reach the farmers because of the overwhelming demand and the inability of the university to meet their requirements.“By this innovative approach, partnerships will be established between the university and private seed companies by which the companies can multiply and market the seeds for the benefit of the farmers,” Mr. Subbian said.
Vice-Chancellor of the university C. Ramasamy said: “Besides giving licence for multiplying the seeds and selling them, the consortium will allow members to test their own technologies in the university and also permit conduct of joint research between the university and the company. He requested the private seed company owners to price the seeds nominally. He also told them to give feedback about the quantity of seeds sold and the area covered for knowing the performance of the hybrids and varieties. Nearly 20 representatives from the private seed sector and officials from the university attended the meet.
