Israel has signed a co-operation agreement with India for conducting general and applied agricultural research at New Delhis Pusa Agriculture Research Institute.
According to Daniel Krichman, Israels agriculture and rural development secretary, the agreement will benefit both countries as research is an important factor in attracting consumers, who have become increasingly sensitive and look for quality products.
At an interactive meeting organised here by Ficci, Krichman said the success of the Israelis in agriculture had been mainly due to research and development.
Israel has invested almost five per cent of its agricultural production value in research-oriented activities.
In the coming years, we would have to prepare ourselves to the lowering of import barriers. It is essential to produce the right product at the right price. As agriculture becomes more sophisticated, greater capital will be needed, he said.
Krichman pointed out that Israel had helped neighbouring countries like Jordan, Egypt and Palestine to develop new technologies. You have to jump in for the new technology and not wait for equity participation as, in the long run, all partners will benefit, he said.
