India-Israel agree to further enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector

What is the news?

Israeli Ambassador to India has called on the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. During the meeting, the two countries agreed to further enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector.

What is the history of India-Israel Agriculture Cooperation?

In the agricultural sector, India and Israel had bilateral relations since 1993. The key initiatives of India-Israel Agriculture Cooperation are:

Agreement on Agriculture Cooperation

In May 2021, India and Israel signed a three-year work program agreement for development in agriculture cooperation.

The programme aims to grow existing Centers of Excellence (CoE), establish new centers, bring them into the self-sufficient mode and encourage private sector companies and collaboration.

INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence

The INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence is a new concept aimed at creating a model ecosystem in agriculture across 8 states alongside 13 CoEs within 75 villages.

The aim of the programme is to promote the increase of net income and better the livelihood of the individual farmer. Therefore, transforming traditional farms into modern-intensive farms based on IIAP standards.

Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project (IIAP)

Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project is based on the concept of establishing Centers of Excellence which provide a platform for a rapid transfer of technology to the farmers with the aim of increasing productivity and improving the quality of produce.

Currently, 29 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are operational across India in 12 States.

Source: This post is based on the article ‘India-Israel agree to further enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector’ published in PIB on 29th January 2022.