Date:19/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/19/stories/2005071903131700.htm

Back Oilfed, agriculture departments told to study Israeli models

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , July 18

THE State Government has asked the departments of agriculture, animal husbandry, municipal administration and Oilfed to study the Israeli models in the respective fields and look into the possibilities of adopting them.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, Minister for Agriculture, said a high-level Israeli delegation had arrived as a follow-up of the Andhra Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's, visit to the West Asian country early this month.

The officials will study the prospects and submit feasibility reports in three-four months.

Mr Reddy, who accompanied the Chief Minister said,

Netafim, a global leader in drip and sprinkler technologies, had agreed to set up a training-cum-demonstration centre in the State to equip farmers in the best management practices.

"They will bear all costs, while we provide them with land and other infrastructure for the proposed institute," he said. With regard to recycling water, Mr Reddy said private participation would be encouraged to recycle water in all the municipalities.

"To begin with, we will introduce drip/sprinkler system to water all the parks in the twin cities," he said.

"We will evolve it into a model which can be emulated by others."

The Government asked Oilfed to study the opportunities in olive plantation. "Agronomists from Israel would assist us in this regard," said Mr Reddy.