Indian delegation in Tel Aviv's Israel Trade Fair Convention Centre on Wednesday. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje (second from right) gave a power point presentation emphasising issues on water. Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi are also seen.

NEW DELHI: India and Israel on Thursday signed a three-year work plan for cooperation in agriculture. The first work plan of its kind, it is expected to lead to a breakthrough in advancing practical cooperation, according to a press release issued here.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and his Israeli counterpart, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Shalom Simhon, signed the work plan on behalf of their respective governments in Tel Aviv. During his visit, Mr. Pawar will also hold discussions with the Israeli Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni.

Mr. Pawar is currently visiting in Israel as head of a high-level delegation to Agritech 2006, a tri-annual international agricultural event showcasing the latest technologies in the field. The official Indian delegation comprises, in addition to the Minister, senior delegates from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Nagaland.

The areas of focus elaborated in the work plan include development of agri-business projects, collaborative research and development, academic and farmer-level exchanges and cooperation in gene bank resources. Israel will transfer technologies and techniques relating to post-harvest management and value addition for fruits, vegetables and dairy products; energy efficient and cost-effective greenhouse structures; development of the dairy sector; and water management, including recycling of domestic wastewater for irrigation. Eighty per cent of the water used in agriculture in Israel is recycled wastewater. Collaborative research will include the development of crop-specific irrigation and fertigation schedules for Indian produce (suggested crops include mango, pomegranate, tomato, garlic, capsicum and more). The two countries also plan to set up a joint research and development fund, offering seed money for joint projects promoting agricultural innovation.

The work plan also includes attention to Extension Service Systems - providing the individual farmer with real-time solutions and access to agricultural know-how and research and development - an area well developed in Israel.

Mr. Pawar last visited Israel in November 2005, as a special envoy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the memorial service held for late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

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