In a significant development aimed at strengthening agricultural ties, India and Israel have signed key agreements focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector. The agreement was formalized in New Delhi, where Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Israel’s Agriculture Minister, Avi Dichter, came together to advance the shared vision of agricultural growth and innovation.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Chouhan emphasized the growing strength of the India-Israel partnership, especially in sectors such as agriculture, innovation, water conservation, and advanced technology. He lauded the excellent cooperation between the two countries and highlighted how these collaborative efforts are contributing to the transformation of India's farming landscape.

Chouhan pointed out a major structural challenge in Indian agriculture—small landholdings. A significant portion of India's farming population operates on limited land, which often affects productivity and income. Acknowledging this, the minister mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is taking proactive steps to improve the profitability and sustainability of agriculture, particularly for farmers with marginal and small landholdings.

After the meeting, Minister Chouhan addressed the media and shared insights into the discussions held during the bilateral session. He described the talks as productive and forward-looking, centered on evolving strategies to meet future challenges in food security. A major focus of the discussions was on research and development efforts to create climate-resilient crop varieties. These new seed technologies would be capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, such as rising temperatures, and still deliver higher yields.

The ministers agreed that the ongoing climate crisis poses a real threat to agricultural sustainability and that international collaboration is vital to finding effective solutions. The new agreements are expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation in areas like precision farming, water-efficient irrigation methods, and the use of cutting-edge agri-tech to boost productivity.

The India-Israel partnership in agriculture is not new; over the years, it has evolved through various collaborative projects, including Centres of Excellence for agriculture across several Indian states. These centers have played a critical role in sharing Israeli expertise with Indian farmers, particularly in the domains of horticulture and protected cultivation techniques.

The latest agreements represent a continuation and expansion of this strong partnership, reaffirming both nations' commitment to innovation, sustainability, and food security for future generations.