India, Israel Advance Agri Ties with Focus on Innovation, Sustainability

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted a top-level meeting with Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dicter, in New Delhi, to talk about enhancing bilateral collaboration in agriculture and addressing upcoming food security issues.

At the meeting conducted at the International Guest House, National Agricultural Science Complex, the leaders endorsed the Agriculture Cooperation Agreement along with a detailed Work Plan designed to improve collaboration in crucial sectors including soil and water management, agricultural production, post-harvest technology, mechanization, animal husbandry, and research and development. 

Chouhan praised MASHAV's role in enhancing agricultural relations between India and Israel, especially via the 43 Centers of Excellence (CoEs), with 35 of them currently fully functional. He valued Israel’s creative Villages of Excellence (VoE) approach, linking 30 villages to each CoE, as a revolutionary strategy for rural development. The minister invited the Israeli delegation to take part in World Food India 2025.

Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dicter highlighted the close relationship between the two countries and underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in creating high-yield seed varieties and agricultural innovations. 

Both parties concurred to investigate the creation of a Five-Year Seed Improvement Plan (FYSIP) aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. They likewise talked about enlarging CoEs, managing pests, transferring technology, enhancing capacity, and refining post-harvest procedures.

Chouhan emphasized the importance of making sure that Indian farmers receive the advantages of advanced agricultural research, especially given the increasing population and decreasing landholdings. The Israeli side exhibited significant interest in India’s Digital Agriculture Mission, acknowledging its importance in empowering farmers.