Israel is ready to share with Telangana its know-how in agriculture whose focus remains enhanced yields through efficient use of natural resources and mechanisation.
One of the pre-requisites for such mentoring, something Israel is willing to do for other Indian States as well, is the need for the governments to popularise cooperative farming, said a senior official from the office of the Consulate General of Israel in Bengaluru.
Cooperative farming, Consul for Trade and Economic Affairs Avi Friedman explained on Thursday, will be solution to challenges associated with small holdings of farmers and their inability to meet individually the costs of mechanisation. He was speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a programme organised by a trade and industry body here.
Mr.Friedman, on his meeting earlier in the day with Poonam Malakondaiah, Principal Secretary, Agriculture to Telangana Government, said the scope of cooperation in agriculture was discussed. He also extended an invitation to the senior officer for the Agritech international exhibition and conference in Tel Aviv.
As a first step towards familiarising Indian farmers, centres of excellence at different locations in India showcasing Israeli agricultural practices have been set up, he said. Inviting members of the Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTAPCCI) to Agritech 2015, he said that the previous edition had about 2,000 visitors from India.
The event, held once in three years, is being conducted in Tel Aviv from April 28 to 30.