**EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** In this image released by @ChouhanShivraj via X on April 8, 2025, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with Agriculture Minister of Israel Avi Dichter during his visit to the agricultural complex of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), at Pusa in Delhi. (@ChouhanShivraj via PTI Photo)(PTI04_08_2025_000166B)
India on Tuesday asked visiting Israel’s agriculture minister Avi Dichter to allow import of Indian potato, garlic, turmeric, pineapple and grapes immediately while ensuring similar approval for onions, green chilies, mango and pomegranate at the earliest.
On the other hand, Israel took interest in research activities to develop climate-resilient seeds, particularly of wheat and some other crops, while requesting India to allow citrus and avocado.
India’s request was conveyed to Dichter when he met Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi.
“On day-to-day trade, we are going to communicate to Plant Protection Indian Israel Services (PPIS) in order to make sure that we shall be able to increase merchandise shipments from one side to the another,” Dichter said after meeting Chouhan, where both leaders signed a bilateral pact to extend cooperation in agriculture.
While Israel requested technical details on products requiring prior processing, officials said the information will be shared soon, as granting market access to these 10 commodities is key to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
A joint working group will be formed to develop a roadmap focusing on research and development activities with Israeli agency Mashav to develop climate-resilient seeds and improve seed quality for farmers, officials said.
Dichter said: “We decided to translate the agreement into actionable items by creating working groups and focusing on improving seeds for wheat and other crops. The first Indo-Israel project in agriculture was establishment of an R&D Centre and demonstration farm in 1996 at premier Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) complex, to popularise protected cultivation techniques by bringing farmers from across the country for training.”
Chouhan said there are 35 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) are currently operational across India.
Published on April 8, 2025
