PTI

Jerusalem: Israel’s agriculture minister Shalom Simhon will be visiting India later this week to look for areas of cooperation and review the progress of three-year comprehensive work plan agreed upon by the two countries in the field of agriculture.

Simhon, along with a high-level delegation, will leave for India on his 10-day visit on Thursday.

“We already have strong cooperation between the two sides and the minister’s visit will give it a further boost,” Zvi Alon, senior deputy director general at the Agriculture ministry told PTI.

“We are looking to develop together agri-business projects, collaborate in research and development, promote exchanges at the level of farmers, cooperation in gene bank resources and other areas of possible cooperation,” he added.

Israel had sent two teams to India to look for areas of cooperation following the signing of an agreement during the 2006 visit of Sharad Pawar, union agriculture minister and Vasundhara Raje, chief minister, Rajasthan.

As per the agreement, Israel was to transfer to India technologies and techniques related to post-harvest management and value addition for fruits, vegetables and dairy products, energy efficient and cost effective green house structures and water management, including recycling of wastewater for irrigation.

The 17 companies’ officials, accompanying Simhon, have the expertise in these fields and many have their presence in India.