Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], February 7: Rajasthan’s Agriculture Minister, Kirodi Lal Meena, convened with Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon and an Israeli delegation on Wednesday to explore avenues for technical collaboration in agriculture and horticulture within the state.
The meeting, convened at the ministry building, saw the participation of Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Horticulture, Vaibhav Galaria, along with Horticulture Commissioner Laxman Singh Kudi.
Among the topics discussed, Kirodi Lal Meena and the Israeli Ambassador delved into the potential for grape and date cultivation in Rajasthan, exploring innovative techniques leveraging high voltage (HV) electricity and pH-balanced water for enhanced agricultural production.
Expressing interest in seeking assistance for guava processing in Sawai Madhopur, the Agriculture Minister received assurance from the Israeli Ambassador regarding prompt engagement on this matter.
During the discussions, the Chief Secretary shed light on the advancements made through excellence centers established with Israeli technical support. These centers, spanning approximately 2,500 hectares, focus on enhancing cultivation practices for pomegranates in Jaipur, citrus fruits in Kota, and dates in Jaisalmer.
Having trained around 15,000 farmers in advanced agricultural techniques for pomegranates, oranges, and dates, and providing planting material to 770,000 farmers for orchards, these excellence centers have significantly contributed to agricultural upliftment.
The Israeli delegation underscored the positive impact of their technical support in these centers, emphasizing the active involvement of Israeli experts in overseeing improved agricultural techniques across 2,500 hectares, benefiting numerous farmers.
Additionally, ongoing efforts to train farmers and supply high-quality planting material were disclosed during the meeting, highlighting the sustained commitment to agricultural advancement.
Recognized as hubs for the adoption of Israeli agricultural technology, the excellence centers received praise from the Israeli delegation, who expressed satisfaction with the progress and reiterated their commitment to providing ongoing technical assistance.
Furthermore, the Israeli Ambassador extended an invitation to Kirodi Lal Meena to lead a technical team and farmers on a visit to Israel. This visit aims to offer firsthand experience and insights into Israel’s successful agricultural practices.
