RIL may provide agri research funding to agricultural university

20 February 2007

Mumbai: Reliance Industries is in talks with Haryana Agricultural University, the country's premier farm research and academic institution, for possible cooperation in research and manpower development, HAU vice-chancellor J C Katyal said.

"Reliance group has already held the first round of discussions with us,' he said, adding the university plans to set up some professional chairs for which it needs private sector support.

HAU has also plans to set up an agricultural technology park in association with the private sector.

However, Reliance did not reveal its plans as to what it wanted in return for funding HAU's plans.

"We would facilitate the private company's linkage with Kisan Sabhas," Katyal said.

Katyal said other companies like Mother Dairy and IFFCO have also shown interest in cooperating with HAU.