Israeli agree-scientists are imparting training and providing seeds to farmers in Haryana to grow vegetables throughout the year even in the condition of water scarcity, according to a PTI report.
Ambassador of Israel to India Alon Ushpiz and Haryan Minister of Agriculture S Paramvir Singh at Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Gharaunda, Karnal.
The centre of excellence in vegetable set up by Israel in partnership with India at Gharaunda in Karnal district in 2010 is enriching farmers and is also providing seeds of veggies like tomato, capsicum and brinjal, which can be cultivated even in off-season, noted the report.
Israel had earlier announced setting up 27 Indo-Israel centres of excellence for vegetables in different parts of India. Bulk of these projects will be set up in Haryana, as the production capacity and climatic conditions of Israel and Haryana are quite similar, said the report. The centre, spread in 25 acres in Gharaunda is making farmers aware of advantages of poly houses and latest technology in cultivation of vegetables, officials said. Vegetables survive for long in the poly houses, they said, adding this could be an effective means to ward off the crisis of vegetables in off season. The Israeli farm technology is also effective even in the condition of water scarcity, they said.
Arjun Singh Saini, Additional Director, Horticulture Deptartment, Government of Haryana said: "Farmers can grow any vegetable round the year in poly houses which is not possible in open air field. Due to proximity to the National Capital, by growing vegetables throughout the season, local farmers can earn handsome gains. What is more, farmers are getting 90 percent subsidy out of programmes run by the Centre as well the State for setting up poly houses. The expense is more in cultivation in poly houses but popularisation of the technology would bring down the cost", he said. Haryana has 3800,000 hectares of agricultural land. Out of which, almost 85 percent is under cultivation of vegetables, added the report.
