Union Agriculture Minister welcomes Israeli delegation

23 Jan '08

2 min read

India and Israel held discussions to strengthen cooperation in areas ranging from research to investment in infrastructure, and cooperation at state and industry levels.

The Indian delegation was led by Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister, and the Israel team was led by Mr. Shalom Simhon, Agriculture Minister of Israel.

Welcoming the visiting delegation, Shri Pawar called for time-bound implementation of the Work Plan agreed by the two countries in 2006.

Extending India's offer for cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, Shri Pawar said that the “Indian agriculture is changing and offers tremendous opportunities for private sector to play a constructive role in all stages of agricultural chain-infrastructure, R&D extension, diversification to high agriculture, value addition and agro processing and marketing.

It requires significant investment in capital and technology. The technology, however, needs to be customized to the needs of the end users. Majority of Indian farmers are small holders with limited resources. They are, however, very keen to adopt new technology which they can afford with their limited resources.

I would, therefore, urge captains of Israeli industries and representatives of association of Indian Industries present here to come and work together in India which offers a huge market.

I am confident that the economies of scale which will be realized while catering to such a huge market will make it possible to keep the prices of end products and services to be offered affordable and within the reach of small holder farmer.”

Earlier the Israel delegation visited Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana. The delegation visited mandies in Haryana, and the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal and held discussions with Rajasthan government on a project being implemented in olive cultivation.

Press Information Bureau Government of India

More Textiles News - India...