Gujarat seeks Israeli partnership in agri sector

Ahmedabad, May 15 (UNI) Pointing out similarities between Israel and Gujarat, Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said he looks forward to technology transfer and investment from Israeli companies in soil-less farming, genetic improvement, recycling domestic waste water, and post-harvest management.

Rounding up the five-day high-level Indian delegation to Israel Mr Modi said today that though the two may be ''divided by land, but are united by water (or lack of it)', says a press release here.

He was present during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries for a ''Work Plan'' for co-operative research and training and promotion of private sector participation.

Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Nagaland, representatives of FICCI and officials of departments concerned also attended various functions held at differenet places in Israel.

Mr Modi, who accompanied the Indian team led by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to ''Agri-Tech 2006'' in Israel, took the opportunity to invite Isareli companies to invest in Gujarat and share similar experience in drip irrigation, dry farming and such water-conservation measures. He also made powerpoint presentation before different gatherings.

The companies which evinced keen interest in Gujarat included Netafim and diamond merchants.

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