Punjab Mulls to Enter Strategic Deal with Israel for Advancement of Agriculture

Punjab is planning to enter into a strategic deal with Israel on the basis of agriculture to integrate cutting-edge agricultural technologies, particularly for developing better seeds. Now, this has been discussed in a meeting on Monday, December 22, which was held between Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and the Minister, Deputy Head of the Mission, Embassy of Israel, Fares Saab here at the Punjab Bhawan.

Strategic deal to focus on exporting Food grain seeds to Israel

In a press note, the Punjab Agriculture minister said that the strategic deal would focus on exporting foodgrain seeds to Israel, academic exchanges between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, and Israeli institutions. Not only this, but it also includes exchanging citrus stocks and adopting advanced water-management technologies. Moreover, he stated the main focus of the deliberations was introducing Israel’s precision N-drip irrigation system, which could save up to 70 per cent of water and decrease the energy consumption. Notably, the state would explore modalities to adopt Israeli expertise for treating and utilising sewage and village pond water for irrigation. It reflects Israel’s model, where 95 per cent of treated wastewater is reused in agriculture.

Haryana CM Saini also announced strategic deal with Israel this year

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had announced in August that the state would collaborate with Israel in several strategic areas such as research, healthcare, agricultural technology, advanced irrigation systems, artificial intelligence, and wastewater management. As per the official statement, the announcement followed a courtesy visit by Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, who met the Chief Minister at Sant Kabir Kutir in Chandigarh to discuss expanding cooperation between the two countries. In the meeting, both leaders explored possibilities for mutual partnerships, focusing on the need to adopt efficient technologies for sustainable development. The crucial point was the creation of a Centre of Excellence in Haryana to promote innovation and technological progress which includes artificial intelligence in the priority sector.