India and Israel are slated to sign a second joint work plan in agriculture. As per this agreement Israel will have access to vast genetic resources of India for developing crops suited to its agro-climactic conditions. India, in turn, would benefit from Israeli technology which can be adopted in dryland areas.

A delegation from Israeli agriculture and rural development ministry led by Joseph Ichay had been in India from March 16 to 23.

 

They visited the dryland areas of Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The delegation is finalising the modalities of the joint work plan with the Indian side, led by RS Pandey, additional secretary in the agriculture ministry.

 

However, the director of the Centre for International Agriculture Development Cooperation of Israel, Zvi Herman said, “The main areas of joint work plan will be in collaborative R&D, water conservation and efficient use, livestock sector with emphasis on dairy, genetic development of cattle breed, bio-fuel and exchanges of experiences of scientists and farmers of both the countries.”

 

India and Israel have already completed their first joint work plan in agriculture. The second work plan was mooted during the visit of agriculture minister Sharad Pawar to Israel in November 2005.

“We will send a business delegation to Israel around May 19 this year to work out the possibilities of cooperation between the agri-based industries of both the countries,” said PM Shina of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

 

The deputy director of Israeli Agricultural Research Organisation, Rami Keren said, “Israel stands to benefit from the access to the vast genetic resources of India. We can develop crops from these resources suited to the agro-climactic conditions in Israel.”