How Indo-Israel Centers of Excellence in Agriculture Promise to Change Face of Farming in India

June 16, 2021 was a beautiful day for the state of Karnataka, as the Union Minister for Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar, unveiled three Centers of Excellence in the state. Out of the three centers, one is located in Kolar for mangoes, the second one is located in Bagalkot for pomegranates, and the third one is located in Dharwad for vegetables.  

The inaugural ceremony also saw the esteemed presence of Chief Minister of Karnataka B. S. Yediyurappa and Deputy Chief Ministers Govid M. Karjol, along with Horticulture Minister N. Shankar through video conferencing.  

This news is important because Centers of Excellence, as their name suggests, are fast becoming the hub of excellence in farming. The objective of introducing centers of excellence is to launch newer technologies for cultivating mangoes, pomegranates, and vegetables. The ultimate aim is to excel in agriculture.  

About Centers of Excellence 

India and Israel are into a strategic partnership under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project. Both countries had signed an agreement in 2006, on the basis of which an Indo-Israel action plan has been devised.  

The three centers that are set up under this action plan, features a host of state-of-the-art technologies, including: 

• Canopy management

• Automated drip irrigation system

• High and ultra-high densityplanting 

• Various trellising system of planting

About Indo-Israel Agricultural Project 

MIDH, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India has joined hands with MASHAV, which is an agency of Israel for International Development Cooperation, to carry forward Israel’s biggest G2G cooperation. They have opened up 29 Centers of Excellence throughout India in 12 states. The centers use progressive Israeli Agro-Technology customized to local conditions.  

The three Centers of Excellence that have been recently inaugurated in Karnataka are among these 29 centers.  

The aim of the centers is to: 

• Disseminate knowledge of agriculture and technology

• Demonstrate the technological advancements and best agricultural practices

• Train farmers and officers

Benefits of Centers of Excellence to farmers 

The Centers of Excellence will assist farmers to get access to the newest and most innovative Israeli technologies and to adopt them in the most beneficial manner. The aim is to increase yield, which can increase farmers’ income.  

These centers are capable of producing around 50,000 grafts and 25 lakh vegetable seedlings annually.  

About MIDH 

MIDH stands for Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture. It is a government-sponsored scheme focusing on the holistic growth of horticulture in India. It covers fruits, vegetables, spices, roots and tubers, flowers, mushrooms, coconut, cocoa, cashew, bamboo, and aromatic plants.  

About MASHAV 

MASHAV is Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel.  It looks after Israel’s worldwide development and cooperation projects in developing countries. The projects are carried out through workshops, field trainings, education, and medicine.