Chandigarh, Dec 23: Punjab is exploring a strategic partnership with Israel to adopt advanced agricultural technologies, including precision irrigation and better seed varieties, officials said Monday.
The initiative was discussed at a meeting between Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Fares Saeb, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Israel, at Punjab Bhawan.
“The tie will be a visionary leap for Punjab’s farming community. It will merge Israeli innovation with our agricultural strength,” Khudian said in a press note.
Key areas of collaboration would include exporting foodgrain seeds to Israel, academic exchanges between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, and Israeli institutions, and exchanging citrus stocks. Officials said the state would also explore adopting Israel’s precision “N-Drip” irrigation system, which can save up to 70 per cent water while reducing energy use.
The partnership may extend to managing treated wastewater and village pond water for irrigation, mirroring Israel’s model where nearly 95 per cent of treated wastewater is reused in agriculture.
Officials said the move aims to strengthen Punjab’s agricultural output while promoting sustainable and efficient farming practices.
