ICRISAT, SERP sign pact to set up 2,500 agro processing units in Telangana

The agreement marks the start of a collaboration between ICRISAT and SERP titled, 'Revitalising rural and urban livelihoods through establishment of inclusive agro-processing business models and entrepreneurship development in Telangana'

Sangareddy: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Telangana, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish 2,500 agro-processing enterprises in the State by 2028.

The agreement marks the start of a collaboration between ICRISAT and SERP titled, ‘Revitalising rural and urban livelihoods through establishment of inclusive agro-processing business models and entrepreneurship development in Telangana’.

---

Highlighting the project’s vision, Director General of ICRISAT Dr Himanshu Pathak said the project tackles two of the biggest challenges faced by Indian farmers — fair market access and freedom from exploitative middlemen.

“We cannot afford to fail in this mission, and I am confident that ICRISAT, together with SERP, will leverage our collective expertise to make this initiative a success in Telangana with the potential to be scaled across India,” he said.

The project aims to enhance technical skills, strengthen quality control and improve access to both domestic and international markets, creating lasting economic opportunities for communities across the State.

SERP CEO Divya Devarajan also spoke.