IPE successfully organizes SEED valedictory session & Convocation: Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao Attends

The Valedictory and Convocation of the International Training Program on Seed Education and Enterprise Development (SEED) was successfully held at IPE, Hyderabad, on 3rd June 2026. This program jointly organized by Taraba Seeds Limited, Nigeria; Prasad Seeds Private Limited, India; and the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), India in association with Taraba State Government, Nigeria; Prasad AgTech FZC, Dubai, aims to provide knowledge, skills and applications in the areas of Seed Education and Enterprise Development to the select youth of Taraba State, Nigeria.

The program reflected the emergence of friendship and collaboration between India and Nigeria. Sri Thummala Nageswara Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Co‑operation, Handlooms & Textiles, Government of Telangana, addressed the gathering as Chief Guest, underscoring the importance of entrepreneurship as the backbone of rural prosperity. He outlined a roadmap for agribusiness growth and envisioned collaborations between Telangana and Taraba State to build sustainable seed enterprises.

Adding further, the Guest of Honour, Dr. G Vivek Venkatswamy, Minister for Labour, Employment, Training & Factories, and Mines & Geology, emphasized skill development and labour reforms as essential supports for agricultural entrepreneurship, ensuring that innovation translates into livelihoods for workers and communities.

Dr. D. Raji Reddy, Vice Chancellor of SKLTGHU, distinguished Guest of Honour highlighted the role of climate‑friendly practices, horticultural innovation, and knowledge exchange in transforming rural livelihoods. Reinforcing this vision, Sri K. Madhava Rao, IAS (Retd.), President of IPE’s Board of Governors, spoke of how institutional cooperation between India and Nigeria strengthens governance and capacity building in agriculture.

From the entrepreneurial side, Sri Prasad Karumanchi, Founder & Chairman of Prasad Seeds, Taraba Seeds, and Prasad AgTech FZC, shared his vision of connecting farmers across continents, while Dr. G. Dileepkumar, Founder & CEO of Taraba Seeds Limited, showcased the training modules that gave Nigerian youth hands‑on exposure to next‑generation seed technologies.

After Certificates distribution, Dr. Ali Sarah Sabo Danjuma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Taraba State, and Dr. Joshua Mark Maaku, Director General, TAGIS, congratulated trainees. His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State, conveyed a heartfelt message, urging graduates to carry forward their knowledge to ensure food security and prosperity.

The program also witnessed the launch of the IPE Online Academy, symbolizing a new era of digital learning. Prof. S. Sreenivasa Murthy, Director, IPE, highlighted how this initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to advancing knowledge through technology besides expanding access to global learners. His remarks underlined IPE’s role in fostering international collaboration and academic excellence.

The presence of other dignitaries namely Dr. K. Veeranjaneyulu, Ambassador Rajashekhar, Ambassador T. V. Nagendra Prasad and other faculty and students underscored the collective resolve to strengthen Indo-Nigerian ties. This program reaffirmed the shared vision of building bridges across nations to modernize agriculture, empower youth, and create sustainable enterprises.