Haryana seeks Israel’s support to excel in modern horticulture practices

Karnal: Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana had a meeting recently with a high-level Israeli delegation at the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Indo-Israel Project, in Gharounda, Karnal. The main focus was the collaboration in modern horticultural practices. Rana later asked the Israeli team to exhibit the technologies that have been developed at the center for the last 14 years. The minister also said that we need Israel’s help for the promotion of advanced technology in farming, such as hydroponics and aeroponics, because less soil and water are used in these two systems.

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The minister further added that five out of six centers of excellence under the Indo-Israel Agriculture Scheme have been functioning in Haryana so that horticulture practices can be improved in the state. The sixth center is to be unveiled soon. Rana appreciated Israel for its innovative technology expertise, helping Haryana to boost yield and increase sustainable agriculture.

The Israeli delegation was led by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Avi Dichter and included Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar and Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Yakov Poleg, among others. They were welcomed by Haryana officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Raja Sekhar Vundru.

The delegation witnessed the polyhouse at the center and exchanged views on modern methods, highlighting the vertical farming due to the shrinking of farmland and growing water scarcity. This initiative will boost Haryana’s horticulture sector, helping farmers to adopt advanced techniques such as water-saving technologies in agriculture under the guidance of Israel’s experts.