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Agri centre with Israeli support to be set up in State

By Staff Reporter - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

GUWAHATI, Nov 2 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday laid the foundation stone of Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Protected Cultivation at Khetri on the outskirts of Guwahati in presence of Israeli Ambassador to India Dr Ron Malka. The Rs 10.33-crore project is expected to bolster the agricultural activities in the State by providing exposure to latest Israeli technologies to State�s farmers and helping them maximise their production and income.

Hoping that the Centre of Excellence would provide a major boost to agricultural and horticultural production in Assam leading to greater economic rewards to State�s farmers, the Chief Minister said the Centre would be a value addition to the government�s efforts to double farmers� income through infusion of technology in agriculture, agri-business and food processing. He also talked about potential collaborations with Israel in furthering the growth of start-up ecosystem in the State through start-up exchange programme and Israeli mentorship of various start-up projects in Assam. Sonowal also called for Israeli help in furthering the State�s industrial growth. He said that the cooperation of the Israeli government in agriculture and allied, tourism and startup as well as other sectors of the economy would help Assam�s farmers and entrepreneurs in finding a reliable platform for brighter future at much faster pace.

Dr Ron Malka underlined the close bond of friendship between India and Israel in recent years and said that India and Israel are a perfect match where both countries complement each other. Even in the fight against COVID-19, both India and Israel fought closely together and he welcomed Assam into the Indo-Israel partnership dynamics with the opening of the Centre of Excellence.

An Israeli delegation led by the Ambassador also called on the Chief Minister at his residence and held a wide-ranging discussion on various issues beneficial for both Israel and Assam.