The foundation stone was laid for the establishment of Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for high value vegetables and flowers at Government Agriculture Farm, Codar, Ponda, Goa on Friday, 8th March 2024 through the hands of His Excellency Naor Gilon, Ambassador of Israel in India in presence of Her Excellency Eynat Shlein, Head of MASHAV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel, Shri Ravi Naik, Honble minister for Agriculture, Shri Ravi Naik, Honble minister for Water Resources, Shri Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary (Agriculture), Nevil Alphonso, Director of Agriculture, Zilla Panchayat Member, Sarpanch of Codar Village panchayat and many farmers.
All the dignitaries spoke on the occasion..
The CoE is being established by Directorate of Agriculture under the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project. Under this project 13 fully automated green houses will be set up to produce seedlings of high value vegetables and flowers. Seedlings of Capsicum, chillies, brinjal, cucumber etc and marigold flowers to meet the demand of farmers.
Lettuce and other salad crops which are in great demand in hotel industry will be cultivated using Nutrient fim technique.
The technology know-how and capacity building of technical officers and farmers will be provided by the experts from Israel.
Flowers like Orchids and Anthurium, the export potential crops will also be focused with improved technology.
In addition to above other fruit crops will be cultivated using Israel technology in open field.
The project will have fully automated irrigation and fertigation systems based on sensors and computer based programs.
Post harvest management activities will also be the part of the project.
The centre of excellence will help the farmers to be self sustainable, self sufficient and Atmanirbhar in the field of Agriculture.