EMRC promotes Africa-India agricultural exchange

The economic mission aims to foster partnerships between Africa and India in the sectors of agricultural research, soil and water conservation and management, biofuels, fresh produce management, knowledge parks, seed value chain and equipment.

Hyderabad is the fifth largest metropolitan area in India and is home to several Centres of Excellence in biotech research and training. The economic mission is organised in close collaboration with ICRISAT - the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics - and features site visits where the delegation will discuss the transfer of technology and know-how, as well as potential business collaborations and joint ventures.

ICRISAT is an international non-profit organisation which is a member of the alliance of centres of the CGIAR (Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research). “In our efforts to improve the lives of the poorest in the Semi Arid Tropics (SAT) of the world, which covers Africa and Asia (predominantly India), we are honoured to jointly prepare a path to agricultural development with EMRC.” Abdul Rahman Ilyas, ICRISAT chief operating officer.

The programme will also feature personalised business meetings, with entrepreneurs, investors and government officials, from India, who are interested in agricultural business collaboration and investment in Africa. The business meetings will be organised in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industries.

EMRC's Africa-India mission will be held from Sunday, 28 February to Friday, 5 March 2010 in Hyderabad. Interested parties from African public and government bodies, as well as private organisations and entrepreneurs need to apply to secure their place in the delegation.

“Our collaboration with ICRISAT and other Indian enterprises started last year, since then we have witnessed a growing interest from both Indian and African decision makers for collaboration. India has a lot to offer Africa in terms of knowledge, service and equipment and we look forward to creating sustainable partnerships that will contribute positively to the boosting of Africa's agricultural sector,” says Idit Miller, EMRC VP and managing director.