“Israel Delegation Explores Collaboration for Advancing Horticultural Technologies in Punjab”

“Israel Delegation Explores Collaboration for Advancing Horticultural Technologies in Punjab”

In a significant development, Punjab’s Horticulture Minister, S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, engaged in discussions with a high-level delegation from Israel, aiming to foster collaboration and introduce cutting-edge agricultural technologies in the state. The meeting, held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, focused on the imperative need for a digital revolution in farming and explored avenues to address the depleting groundwater crisis in Punjab.

During the meeting with Ms. Hadas Bakst, Political Domestic Advisor Embassy of Israel New Delhi, Minister Jauramajra stressed the urgency of combating rapid underground water depletion. He urged the Israel delegation to provide advanced, water-efficient horticultural varieties and farm-to-market technologies, particularly for the Kinnow produce during bumper crops.

Key areas for collaboration were identified, including digital solutions for pest control, climate and soil monitoring, AI-driven crop yield predictions, drones for harvesting, and precision farming software solutions. The discussions also delved into the potential of year-round cultivation in greenhouses and hydroponic farming to meet the rising food demand.

Minister Jauramajra advocated for the introduction of high-tech agricultural machinery, sensor technology-based irrigation systems, and innovative storage solutions. Emphasizing advancements in citrus cultivation, he proposed the integration of By-Product Technologies to manage bio-waste effectively.

The Minister expressed interest in adopting global trends in agricultural extension systems and proposed sending a delegation to Israel for firsthand exposure to innovative technologies. Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur emphasized the establishment of integrated value chain Centers of Excellence in collaboration with Israel to reduce post-harvest losses.

Ms. Hadas Bakst affirmed Israel’s keen interest in enhancing technological collaboration with Punjab in agriculture and horticulture. Expert-level meetings are scheduled for February and March to deliver the latest technology and introduce new horticultural varieties, addressing the state’s water-related challenges. Ms. Hadas also highlighted Israel’s ongoing operation of two Centers of Excellence in Punjab, reinforcing the commitment to sharing agricultural technologies.

Prominent attendees included Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur, Assistant Director Horticulture Dr. Harpreet Singh, Dr. Daljit Singh, Dr. Balwinder Singh, Horticulture Development Officer Mrs. Balwinderjit Kaur, and other officials.

Keywords: Israel collaboration Punjab, Agricultural technologies, Water-efficient horticulture, Farm-to-market technologies, Digital pest control, Precision farming, Greenhouse hydroponic farming, Sensor technology irrigation, By-Product Technologies bio-waste management, Centers of Excellence agriculture.