Centre of Excellence in Horticulture inaugurated in Gignau under Indo-Israel Agriculture Project

• 23 Jan 2023

Why in News?

On January 22, 2023, Ambassador of Israel naor Gilon, who visited India, inaugurated the Semi-Arid Horticulture Excellence Centre built at a cost of About Rs. 12.5 crore in village Gignau in Loharu assembly constituency of Bhiwani district of Haryana.

Key Points

• Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon said that the Centre of Excellence in Horticulture established under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project in village village Gignau will also strengthen the democratic relations between the political relations of the two countries.
• The main objective of setting up semi-arid horticulture centres of excellence is to develop new resources in the agriculture sector, which will make the farmer happy.
• He said that now Israeli technology and knowledge is being transferred and manufactured in India, which is giving a further boost to the Make in India initiative. Through this center, Israel based farming techniques produced in India such as drip irrigation, mulching, green house etc. will be showcased.
• Naor Gilon said that more than 40 million plants of quality vegetables and five lakh plants of quality fruits are being produced in horticulture excellence centers built on Indo-Israeli technology in India. More than one lakh 20 thousand farmers are also getting training every year at these centers.
• Haryana Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister J.K.P. Dalal said that Despite being a small country, Israel is a leader in many areas including agriculture and security. Today, other countries are also adopting the technology of this country. Israel has made its country a paradise by making wasteland fertile and has given the whole world the technology of farming from drop to drop.
• He said that the budget for horticulture in Haryana has been increased by 100 times from Rs’ 8 crore to Rs 800 crore. A target has been set to set up 500 FPOs in the state.
• J. P Dalal said that by the year 2030, a target of horticulture has been set on 17 lakh acres of land. The world's largest vegetable market is being set up at Gannaur in Sonipat, which will be spread over 500 acres, which will cost 2.5thousand crores and will provide employment to thousands of people.
• He informed that to reduce the risk in horticulture, 'Mukhyamantri Horticulture Insurance Scheme' has been implemented, under this scheme 46 crops have been covered. Apart from this, 21 horticulture crops have been included under the 'Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana'.
• Minister J. P. Dalal said that the highest scheme for farmers in the country has been implemented in Haryana. The Centre of Excellence built in Gignaw will prove to be a milestone for the future of farmers as well as youth.
• In this center, the best quality variety of Guava, Almonds, Dates, Pomegranate, Pear, Citrus fruits, Plums, Dragon fruits, Red bald malta, Strawberries, Avocados etc. will be prepared. From this center, high quality vegetable plants will be available to the farmers at affordable rates.
• In this hi-tech greenhouse, 30 to 40 lakh plants of vegetables will be prepared. Apart from this, mother blocks are being prepared for fruit plantation.