Israeli expertise to develop agriculture

To establish Centres of Excellence in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

Israel is in the process of setting Centres of Excellence in agriculture development, one or two in Telangana and two in Andhra Pradesh. Already, the country is helping in the implementation of the third phase of the Indo-Israeli Agriculture Cooperation Project where farmers are trained in water management, best farm practices and post-harvest management in different States.

“We are holding discussions with Government officials of the States and how best we can help the farmers. Our drip irrigation methods have been adopted in many places and the Prime Minister’s irrigation scheme only means we expect more Israeli firms to collaborate,” said Israel Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon, in an interaction with presspersons on Wednesday.

Desalination plants

The ambassador said his country has specialised in desalination plants and though eight such plants were operational in different parts in India, more could be started with the technology provided for because water availability is always in shortage here.

Pointing out that the trade between both countries had galloped from $ 600 million in 1992 to over six billion dollars in 2014-15, Mr. Carmon observed that the potential was huge and if the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is signed, there would be more trade, commerce and collaborations. “It is in the interests of both countries and we have already held eight rounds of discussions and it would be a gift to India and Israel as we are currently celebrating the 25th year of establishing diplomatic relations,” he said.

Earlier, addressing members of the Federation of Association of Telangana and A.P. Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FATAPCCI), the ambassador said there was so much both countries had to offer each other as there is already strong relationship in several sectors including defence. More could be done in the fields of agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, academics, cyber space etc. with Indians constituting 10 per cent of foreign students in Israel.

He urged the industry body to send its representatives to three major events happening in his country - Agri-Tech, Med-Tech and Wat-Tech, where the latest technologies in the fields of agriculture, medical industry and water technologies would be showcased as collaborative efforts could be forged between firms of both nations. Mr. Carmon also visited the T-Hub and the ISB where he interacted with the people there. FATAPCCI president Ravinder Modi, DG T.S. Appa Rao, Israel’s Honorary Consul General for AP/TS Ken Udai Sagar also spoke.