Israel to provide tech expertise for Arunachal's agriculture sector

Itanagar, Jun 20 (UNI) Israel has expressed willingness to offer technical espertise to the state to improve its agriculture sector through its world famous advanced technology in this field.

They would help Arunachal Pradesh find an alternative to its traditional "jhooming" cultivation and harness its huge potential.

Addressing a press conference here last evening, Isareli Ambassador David Danieli said that if the state desires, his country could send an expert team to study the problem and suggest solution and could also conduct a related course for the students of Arunachal.

Mr Danieli, who arrived here on a three-day visit, is scheduled to meet Governor S K Singh today, while he would meet Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in Delhi and discuss the various state issues.

Forced to the brink by the Germans, the Jews by their sheer determination, creativity and continuous innovation had turned Israel into what its known today the world over for its micro-irrigation, multi-faceted scientific development, superior defense equipments and enterprise.

The country, with an area of 21,000 sq km, holding 7.3 million populations and with only 500 mm annual rainfall without any natural resources meets its own food requirements by engaging three per cent of its work force in agriculture sector, Danieli said, adding the excess produces were exported too.

Arunachal with 3,000 mm annual rainfall could progress in agriculture sector in a big way by adopting cash crops with advanced agri know-how, he said.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar lead a 300-strong farmers' team to Israel in May last year and signed an bilateral agreement with Israel on a three-year work plan to be initiated this year-end, covering nine areas, including micro irrigation, post harvest treatment of yield and its marketing to reduce wastage which rang up to 35 per cent in India.

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