India and Israel Sign Key Agriculture Cooperation Agreement to Boost Innovation and Food Security

In a significant move to strengthen bilateral relations in agriculture, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with Mr. Avi Dicter, Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, in New Delhi today. The meeting, held at the International Guest House, National Agricultural Science Complex, marked Mr. Dicter’s first official visit to India in his current role.

The two nations signed an Agriculture Cooperation Agreement and exchanged a Work Plan focused on horticulture. These milestones aim to deepen collaboration in key areas such as soil and water management, agricultural production, post-harvest technologies, mechanization, animal husbandry, and research and development.

Shared Vision for Agricultural Advancement

Shri Chouhan highlighted India’s commitment to agricultural transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, noting the importance of philosophies like “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” in India’s approach to global cooperation. He praised the successful Indo-Israel Agricultural Work Plans and particularly the 43 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) established across India with Israel’s support, 35 of which are fully operational. He also welcomed the Israeli concept of Villages of Excellence (VoE), which links villages to these CoEs for rural development.

Mr. Avi Dicter echoed the sentiment of strong bilateral ties, expressing confidence in India and Israel’s joint potential to address food security and climate challenges through agricultural innovation and technology exchange. He stressed the need for high-yielding seed varieties, robust technology transfer, and capacity building in the face of growing global food demands.

Key Agreements and Future Plans

The meeting outlined several collaborative priorities:

• Enhancing food security through innovation
• Technology sharing and research partnerships
• Developing and distributing high-quality seeds
• Expanding CoEs and VoE networks
• Advancing pest management and post-harvest technologies
• Establishing a Five-Year Seed Improvement Plan (FYSIP) to boost productivity and sustainability

Israel also showed interest in India’s Digital Agriculture Mission, which is transforming farm-level decision-making and empowering Indian farmers through technology.

Strengthening Institutional Cooperation

A Joint Working Group will be formed to maintain ongoing dialogue and create a structured roadmap with specific goals and timelines for implementation. Officials also discussed market access, current horticulture collaborations, and shared challenges related to population growth and shrinking landholdings.

High-level officials from both sides, including Israeli Ambassador Mr. Reuven Azar and senior members of the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and External Affairs, participated in the discussions.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both ministers extending their commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes in the agriculture sector and working together for global food security and sustainability.