Head of MASHAV Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Eynat Shlein laid the cornerstone for the establishment of Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence for Vegetables and Flowers under Indo – Israel Agriculture project at Government Agri-farm, Codar-Ponda.
Ambassador of Israel to India, Naor Gilon; Agriculture Minister, Ravi Naik; Water Resources Minister, Subhash Shirodkar graced the occasion. Secretary (Agriculture) Arun Kumar Mishra, IAS; Director of Agriculture, Nevil Alphonso were also present among others.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant highlighted the INDO-ISRAEL Agricultural Project that will produce quality seedlings in bulk quantity to boost the agriculture sector in the state.
“A fully automated nursery will be established for production 30 lakhs of premium quality vegetable seedlings per year and capacity will be increased as per demand. Government of Goa is partnering with the INDO-ISRAEL Agricultural Project (IIAP) establishing a Centre of Excellence for Vegetables & flowers (Protected cultivation),” posted the Chief Minister on his social media.
Eynat Shlein and Naor Gilon called on the CM in the presence of Chief Secretary, Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS at Mantralaya.
Israel to provide technology for CoE for Vegetables and Flowers:
The CoE is being established by Directorate of Agriculture under the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project. Under this project 13 fully automated green houses will be set up to produce seedlings of high value vegetables and flowers. Seedlings of Capsicum, chillies, brinjal, cucumber etc and marigold flowers to meet the demand of farmers.
Lettuce and other salad crops which are in great demand in hotel industry will be cultivated using Nutrient fim technique.
The technology know-how and capacity building of technical officers and farmers will be provided by the experts from Israel.
Flowers like Orchids and Anthurium, the export potential crops will also be focused with improved technology.
In addition to above, other fruit crops will be cultivated using Israel technology in open field.
The project will have fully automated irrigation and fertigation systems based on sensors and computer-based programs. Post harvest management activities will also be the part of the project.
