Southeast Asian country shows interest in Telangana Sona variety

In a significant boost to Telangana’s agri-exports, the State government will export 2 lakh metric tonnes of rice to the Philippines this year. This was announced by Telangana’s Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies, Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, after a high-level meeting with Philippines Secretary of Agriculture, Francisco P.T. Laurel Jr., in New Delhi on Wednesday. Civil Supplies Secretary D.S. Chauhan was also present at the meeting.

Highlighting the Philippines’ keen interest in Telangana’s premium rice variety, Telangana Sona (RNR 15048), Uttam Kumar Reddy said the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade relations between Telangana and the Philippines. He recalled that an export agreement for rice between Telangana and the Philippines had already been formalized, and the current initiative would further expand the scope of trade.

During the meeting, Secretary Laurel indicated that the Philippines has an annual requirement of around 2 million metric tonnes of rice, and expressed interest in sourcing a significant portion from Telangana. Minister Uttam said this presents a valuable opportunity for Telangana to showcase its high-quality rice and meet a substantial share of the Philippines’ demand.

Apart from rice, Philippines has also expressed interest in importing maize from Telangana. Uttam explained that the discussions explored the possibility of diversifying exports beyond rice to include maize and other agricultural produce, thereby deepening trade cooperation between the two regions.

The Minister said that the Philippines has responded positively to Telangana’s proposal to export Telangana Sona, appreciating its unique grain quality, high yield, and suitability for the Philippines’ market. This engagement, he said, has set the stage for stronger trade and agricultural partnerships.

The meeting was described as cordial and constructive, with both sides expressing optimism about future collaborations. Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy also extended an invitation to Secretary Laurel to visit Telangana to experience first-hand the State’s agricultural strengths and infrastructure. The Philippines official welcomed the invitation positively, further signaling growing ties between Telangana and the Southeast Asian nation.

Minister Reddy stated that these developments would not only enhance Telangana’s export footprint but also contribute significantly to the State’s farmers and agri-based economy, while strengthening international trade relations.