RIL in talks with HAU

Corporate giant Reliance Industries is in talks with leading farm research and academic institute Haryana Agricultural University for possible cooperation in research and manpower development.

"The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance group has already held the first round of discussions with us," HAU Vice-Chancellor J C Katyal told reporters here.

The university plans to set up some professional chairs for which it needs private sector support, Katyal said.

Reliance wanted to know what HAU sought from the company but did not reveal its plans as to what it wanted in return. HAU also plans to set up an Agricultural Technology Park in association with private sector. "We would facilitate the private company's linkage with Kisan Sabhas," he said.

Reliance Industries had last year announced major plans to to invest more than Rs 4,000 crore in Haryana and Punjab for its foray in agri-business and agri-retail sector. RIL's agri-business plans revolve around forward and backward linkages in the agriculture and food retail sector across the region. The company's agri-business foray would synergise its retail operations across the country.

Katya said other companies which have shown interest in cooperating with HAU include Mother Dairy and IFFCO. The HAU Vice Chancellor also saw opportunity for private sector as he aimed for a Rs 10 crore annual turnover from seed production business in the next three years.