The minister stated that the maize crop has numerous uses, including foodgrain, animal feed, and ethanol generation, and that the government has significantly boosted the minimum support price (MSP) for maize to increase production of this coarse cereal. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Thursday that increased investment and the use of innovative technologies in the farm sector are required to ensure stronger growth. Speaking at the ‘8th India Maize Summit 2022,’ organised by industry association FICCI, the minister stated that the government has implemented multiple reforms and introduced numerous programmes, like PM-KISAN, as part of its goal to double farmers’ income.
“Agriculture requires capital investment. Connecting agriculture and technology is an urgent issue “Tomar stated. The minister stated that the maize crop has numerous uses, including foodgrain, animal feed, and ethanol generation, and that the government has significantly boosted the minimum support price (MSP) for maize to increase production of this coarse cereal. Tomar told the industry that he would examine their ideas based on the summit’s deliberations. He also emphasised the importance of the agriculture sector to the Indian economy. Tomar stated that the sector functioned admirably during the COVID outbreak. Farmers generated bumper crops of foodgrains, while the government procured a record amount of paddy and wheat crops, he noted.
According to the minister, India’s agricultural exports have surpassed Rs 4 lakh crore, which is a positive development. Tomar stated that India is exporting wheat in large quantities as global demand has surged due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The minister stated that the government is devoted to the expansion of farmers, rural areas, and industries.
75 Indian villages will be built with Israeli assistance, according to Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar
Tomar, who was in Israel for four days beginning May 8, spoke with his Israeli counterpart Oded Forer at the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). They reviewed many topics relating to contemporary agro techniques, capacity building, information transfer, and support in agriculture, water management, the environment, and rural development, while bearing in mind the scope and potential of agriculture growth in both countries.
75 Indian villages will be built with Israeli assistance to commemorate the country’s 75th anniversary of independence, according to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Tomar, who was in Israel on a four-day official visit beginning May 8, met with his Israeli counterpart Oded Forer on Wednesday at the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). They discussed various issues related to modern agro techniques, capacity building, knowledge transfer, and support in the fields of agriculture, water management, environment, and rural development, keeping in mind the scope and potential of agriculture development in both countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
As India and Israel mark 30 years of diplomatic relations, the visiting minister stated that the ongoing bilateral connection would be deepened via “reciprocal visits and exchange of experiences.”
Tomar stated that while India marks its 75th anniversary of independence this year, “it has been agreed that we would shape up 75 villages of excellence with Israeli participation, with another 75 to follow thereafter.”
Forer expressed Israel’s aim to push the Centres of Excellence (CoE) that his country has created in various locations of India to the “next level.” There are already 29 fully operational Centres of Excellence in India that provide critical information on innovative agricultural technologies to increase farmer production.
According to Israel’s agriculture minister, trade relations between the two countries will improve in the near future. India and Israel have agreed to finalise a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of June of this year. This was decided upon during a meeting in October last year between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid during Jaishankar’s visit to Israel. Tomar led a group from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare that met with top institutes and technological businesses in agriculture and horticulture.
The group toured the facilities of Green 2000 – Agricultural Equipment and Know How Ltd. and NETAFIM Ltd., which are involved in the planning, setup, consultancy, and ongoing management of various micro and smart irrigation projects across the world. “The highlights of the visit were learning about the implementation of technology and creative techniques in farming with an emphasis on high value crops, vegetables, and fruits,” the group added. Tomar also participated in a roundtable discussion at the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute with more than a half-dozen Israeli Agritech Startups. He issued an invitation to the businesses to work in India. The delegation paid a visit to the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Volcani Institute, which is noted for its competence in agriculture under dry conditions, on poor soils, and irrigation with effluent and saline water and minimisation of post harvest losses by using latest pest control and storage methods.
Tomar also spent time with the institute’s Indian post-doctoral fellows. During the visit, the Indian group was shown how to use drone technology with advanced mapping and photography in Ganei Khna’an, near Kibbutz Naan. Tomar discussed several concerns linked to technology improvements in agriculture in the Indian context with ARO experts, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture. Crop cultivation in protected areas, freshwater fish farming, enhanced plant protection techniques, precision agriculture, remote sensing, and post-harvest science and technology are among the concerns being discussed, according to the report. The minister also went to a farm operated by Sharon Cherry, an Indian-origin farmer who grows Indian vegetables in the Negev desert.
The farmer runs Be’er Milka, a desert boutique farm in the Negev desert. He has embraced new technology with the technical assistance of the Ramat Negev Agro Research Centre and is cultivating vegetables, fruits, and superfood in the middle of the Negev desert, according to the ministry. “With the technical support of Ramat Negev Agro Research Centre in the desert area, Cherry demonstrated expertise in growing Indian vegetables in exceptionally tough terrain and climatic conditions,” the delegation told PTI. The mission also met with a team from MASHAV, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ agency for International Development Cooperation.
