Israel - India Agriculture Cooperation (MASHAV Brochure)

State ofIsraelThe Indo-IsraeliAgriculture ProjectMASHAVIsrael’s Agency for InternationalDevelopment Cooperation

India is presently in the midst of its second “GreenRevolution”. During the first “Green Revolution”, India achieved selfsufficiencyin the supply of food grains, an extraordinary achievementof its agricultural sector. While dealing with a high rate of populationincrease, the issue of food security has become crucial, leading thecountry to a compelling need to find alternative ways to feed its 1.2billion people.The first goal of the present “Green Revolution” is the transitiontowards sustainable agriculture, including implementing agriculturalproduction practices which take into consideration the protection ofnatural resources and the environment; effective utilization of waterresources and the reduction of harmful pesticides.The second goal is diversification – by diversifying the food basket,the population will benefit from a larger supply of fruits and vegetables,a primary source of essential minerals and vitamins. The important taskof achieving this challenge was entrusted to India’s National HorticultureMission (NHM).Throughout the years the State of Israel developed unique expertise andapproaches to sustainable agricultural and rural development undersemi-arid and arid climatic conditions. The management of limitednatural resources is conducted by the integration of appropriate agrotechnologies,water and irrigation, R&D, and agricultural extensionservices. Based on these achievements, NHM chose Israel as a partnerto promote the goals of the Indian “Green Revolution”."A good seed brings the best produce"2 Indo-Israel Cooperation

The Indo-Israeli Action PlanThe first stage of the Indo-Israeli Agricultural Cooperation Project started in2008 following the signing of a three-year Action Plan based on a Governmentto Government Agreement. The plan was later on extended to include the2012-2015 period.Within this framework, the State of Israel was requested to share bestpracticesand knowhow, and provide capacity building through professionaltraining programs to be conducted both in Israel and in India.It was established that the implementing partners will be NHM–The NationalHorticulture Mission under the Ministry of Agriculture of India and MASHAV-Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation under the Ministryof Foreign Affairs.To achieve the stated goals of the cooperation agreement, it was decidedto establish “Agricultural Centers of Excellence,” funded by both the FederalGovernment NHM and by individual State Governments, that are alsoresponsible to allocate land and professional manpower.Based on the approach that enhancing people’s livelihood is paramountto sustainable economic growth, it was decided that MASHAV’s professionalactivities in India, as implemented by CINADCO, will focus mainly on humancapacity building, the transfer of knowledge and professional support to theagricultural development projects conducted in the different AgriculturalCenters of Excellence.

Agricultural Centers of ExcellenceThe Centers of Excellence provide a suitable platform for arapid transfer of technology to the farmers. Knowhow and newagricultural technologies such as protected cultivation, drip irrigationand fertigation are demonstrated at the centers with the aim to beadopted by the farmers. This is done in order to increase their yieldsand productivity and also to improve the quality of produce. This canresult in a positive impact on the income of the farmers and marketprices, as well as introducing new varieties.The Centers of Excellence are jointly set up according to therequirements and needs of the Indian Government. They addressboth small and large farm holders thus offering a wide range ofagricultural practices - from Hi-Tech poly-houses to walking tunnelsand net houses, in order to enable all to benefit from the newtechnologies. During the establishment and operation of thoseCenters, the technologies and methods are adapted to the localconditions and requirements of the farmers.The basic concept of the Centers is based on a triangular format:Applied Research, SMS (Subject Matter Specialist) Field ExtensionOfficer and the Progressive Farmer.Applied ResearchApplied research provides solutions to the farmers, such asevaluating local fruits and vegetables varieties to find the bestperforming solution in the given climatic conditions.Seed production companies are requested to bring their commercialvarieties for a comparative test at the Center which includes parameterssuch as yield, quality, and tolerance to diseases. The Center willrecommend the best performing varieties for use by the farmers.Another aspect of the applied research is to analyze the efficiencyof plant protection products and to adapt advanced technologies tolocal conditions, pruning periods, fertilization and irrigation.The central and most important commercial and professional activityof the Centers of Excellence is the production of high-quality,healthy, virus and pest-free saplings and plug seedlings. A highquality seedling is a base for a healthy plant and high yield.4 Indo-Israel Cooperation

The goal is to expose the farmers to the highest quality and to its benefitsso they will demand it from the private nurseries. This process will elevatethe quality of the industry of sapling and seedling production.Field Extension - SMSField extension service is the linking element between the applied researchand the farmers, carried out by the government extension officers. Thepurpose of this important link is double: first, to disseminate the knowledgeand second, to make sure that the new technologies are assimilated andimplemented by the farmers in the field.This can be seen, for example, in the case of micro-irrigation: theknowledge about the use of technology and hardware will be impartedand demonstrated by training at the Centers; later on, the specialists willfollow-up with the farmers in the field to see if the technology is beingproperly utilized and taken care of.Progressive FarmersThe progressive farmers are the ones who implement the technologiesdemonstrated at the Centers. They are an important part of the process oftransfer of knowledge by setting an example and becoming role models toother farmers.

ImplementationIt was decided to arrange the Centers of Excellence in clusters - vegetables,mangoes, pomegranates and citrus. Each cluster is headed by an Indian expert,who is usually the one who runs the most advanced Centre in the cluster.The head of a cluster has a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of theproject, for example: providing professional guidance to other project officersin cultivation, but also by being in charge of every step during the set-up ofnew Centers (tenders, field preparations, construction, etc.). Together withthe Israeli expert counterpart, each head of cluster is also responsible fororganizing the cluster’s seminars and for adapting Israeli technology to existinglocal needs, which may greatly vary from one Center to another.A Vegetable Success StoryGharaunda, Karnal, Haryana StateThe success of the Gharaunda Center of Excellence, the first to be establishedwithin the framework of the Indo-Israeli cooperation agreement, serves asmodel for the establishment of the additional Centers. At the heart of theproject lies a plant nursery which produces lakhs (hundreds of thousands) ofvegetable plug seedlings annually utilizing plug-seedling technology (youngplants grown in small, individual cells, ready to be transplanted into containersor a field).The seedlings include hybrid seeds of tomatoes, cherry-tomatoes, coloredcapsicum, cucumbers, eggplant, chili peppers, and more. Each year, severalhybrid seeds of domestic and international commercial companies are tested inthe Center. The nursery has the capacity to produce grafted vegetables, the latesttechnological advancement in the field, which allows growing vegetables in soilbourndiseased as well as those infected by nematodes (microscopic worms).Additional technologies demonstrated and available at the Center include:• Protected cultivation, starting with simple solutions such as tunnels, walkingtunnels, and up to advanced solutions such as net-houses, and poly-houses.6 Indo-Israel Cooperation

• Open field cultivation which includes mulching and the use ofother methods of plasticulture.• Computerized irrigation and fertigation (fertilizers + irrigation)technologies including utilization of green energy.WDr. SatyenderYadavHead of Vegetable clusterand Center of Excellenceof Karnal:“With the Israeli technology wemanaged to increase the harvestperiod of various vegetablesfrom 3 months to 9 months.We also managed to introducein Haryana new varieties suchas cherry tomato and coloredcapsicum. This contributedsignificantly to the income ofthe local farmers of Haryana.”Over 20,000 farmers visit the Center every year. During its first3 years of operation, the effectiveness of the Israeli technologiesbecame evident showcasing a dramatic 5 to 10 times increase incrops as can be seen in this table:CropOpen field(Kg/Acre)Tomato 16,000 96,000Cherry tomatoCannot be cultivatedin open fieldProtected Cultivation(Kg/Acre)72,000Cucumber 3,500 45,000Capsicum 12,000 72,000In addition to the increase in crops, there was a reduction of 65% ofwater use, as well as a noticeable decrease in the use of pesticidesand fertilizers:CropOpen field(Rp/Acre)Protected Cultivation(Rp/Acre)Use of Pesticides 45,000 10,000Use of Fertilizers 25,000 12,000Presently, farmers all over Haryana State are growing over 1,400hectares of protected vegetables, with numbers rising annually.Following a recent profit-economic viability evaluationindependently performed by India’s National Bank forAgriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for modelBankable Projects, it was shown that in Haryana’s case, thenet profit achieved after repaying the loan, recurring cost anddepreciation, is 32% of the total income from selling, thusmaking the whole enterprise worthwhile for the farmers.7 Indo-Israel Cooperation

A Mango Success StoryDapoli, Maharashtra StateDr. Parag M.HaldankarHead of Mango clusterand CoE of Dapoli:O“Our biggest achievement isto successfully demonstratethe rejuvenation in farmers’orchards without losing evenone tree in the process. Nowthe farmers are willing to use itthemselves with the help of theSMS’s. It will bring a changeto the whole mango industryof Konkan area. The floweringseason of December 2013 isexcellent for us and it will giveus a boost to go ahead.”The technique of rejuvenating senile mango orchards is beingsuccessfully implemented at the Dapoli Center of Excellence. Atthe site, 20- to 60 year-old and over 12 meter high mango treesunderwent a special process of rejuvenation.During the process saplings are planted between the mango trees,thus increasing the density of planted orchard from 100 trees perhectare to 400 trees per hectare. The result is a significant cropincrease while improving the fruit quality: In just 2 years, the treatedtrees produce fruit with higher weight, better color, less postharvestlosses, and easier harvesting. After three years only there isa significant increase in the amount of the fruit which is expected togrow in the next years.Mango Rejuvenation (per season)BeforeAfterDensity 100 trees/hectare 400 trees/hectareYield1,500Kg/hectareAfter 1 year1,500Kg/hectareAfter 3 years4,500- 5,000Kg/hectareIn addition, saline water and calcareous soils tolerant-rootstockswere especially brought from Israel to allow growing mangoes alsoin areas where there is a problem of salinity.This is a breakthrough in mango cultivation which is a result ofjoint collaboration in applied research. The technology that hadbeen used in Israel was modified to the local climatic conditions byDapoli’s experts.8 Indo-Israel Cooperation

Dr. D. M.PanchbhaiHead of Citrus Clusterand CoE of Nagpur:A Citrus Success StoryNagpur, Maharashtra andMangiana, HaryanaW“Mother plant protected plotsand the state-of-the-art diseasefree sapling nurseries – that isthe biggest accomplishment ofour activities alongside fightingPhytophthora.”Thirteen varieties of citrus were planted in Mangiana in order toevaluate their compatibility to the local conditions. The differentvarieties include easy peeler, early season and late season orangesand grapefruits, in order to extend the harvest period and to decreasethe dependence on one specific variety. For the consumer, this bringsa more versatile fruit basket to choose from local production.Ridge and high density planting is demonstrated in Nagpur and inMangiana. In Nagpur, the success of the ridge planting in comparisonto the traditional flat terrain planting was embraced by the farmerswho visited the demonstration plot. This technique will also be atool in controlling the devastating Phytophthora which threatens thecultivation of citrus in India.Planned ActivitiesAs the Indo-Israeli AgriculturalCooperation Project continues, there are plansfor implementing an animal husbandry projectand the establishment of beekeeping Centersin Haryana; as well as the development ofpost-harvest Centers for dates in Gujarat andRajasthan.9 Indo-Israel Cooperation

Centers of ExcellenceBiharProduceMango and LichiVegetablesLocationVaishaliNalandaMaharashtraProduceAlfonso MangoCitrusPomegranateLocationDapoliNagpurRahuriProduceLocationKeshar MangoAurangabadGujaratMangoVegetables-ProtectedCultivationDate and Banana-Palm Post-harvestManagementJunagadhVadrad, SabarkhanthaNani, Reladi, BhujPunjabProduceFruitsVegetablesLocationGhanora, HoshiyapurJalandharProduceLocationHaryanaProduceVegetablesFruitsBeekeepingAnimal Husbandryand MilkMangoFlowersLocationGharaunda, KarnalMangianaKurukshetraHisarLadwaHisarTamil Nadu RajasthanCitrusPomegranateDate PalmVegetablesProduceFlowersVegetablesKotaBassiJaislamerBassiLocationThally, KrishnagiriReddiyar Chathram,DindigulKarnatakaProduceMangoPomegranateVegetablesLocationKolarBagalkotDharwadUttar PradeshProduceVegetablesMangoVegetablesLocationBastiBastiKannaujWest BengalProduceVegetablesLocationAdi Saptagram,Hoogli District

MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation is dedicatedto providing developing countries with the best of Israel’s experience in development and planning. Asa country that transitioned from an underdeveloped state in the 1950s, to becoming a new member ofthe OECD in 2010 we feel that we can share with others our firsthand experience in development.We are proud to be one of the oldest international development agencies in the world. Foundedin late 1957, MASHAV is responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the Stateof Israel’s development cooperation programs. Since its inception, over 275,000 professionals fromaround the world have participated in MASHAV’s professional activities. In its programs and philosophy,MASHAV adheres to the accepted international principles.MASHAV’s programs focus on technical assistance and are closely connected to implementation onthe ground. Since its establishment, MASHAV has promoted the centrality of the individual, humanresource enrichment and institutional capacity building in the development process – an approachwhich has attained global consensus.MASHAV’s activities focus primarily on areas in which Israel has a comparative advantage includingagriculture and rural development; dry lands development; water resources management; microenterprisedevelopment; entrepreneurship; innovation and development; community development;medicine and public health; empowerment of women and education.MASHAV’s agricultural and rural development programming deals with the introduction of moderntechnologies and agro-technical methods designed to increase the levels, sustainability and quality ofagricultural production to ensure food security. It also concentrates on introducing effective supportsystems to enhance the economic viability of agriculture in areas such as marketing, storage andtransport, the supply of agricultural inputs, and upgrading the work of extension services.MASHAV’s approach to agricultural development is based on harnessing science, technology andextension and adapting it to the local needs and approach of development. Applied research, theintroduction of innovative technologies and the promotion of agricultural crop intensification anddiversification are key elements in attaining food security.Within this framework, CINADCO – the Center for International Agricultural DevelopmentCooperation within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – operates as MASHAV’sprofessional affiliate for implementing Israel’s cooperation programs in India in the fields of agricultureand rural development.Although a modest player in the international assistance arena, MASHAV provides fast, flexible,hands-on, pragmatic, original and practical solutions to development challenges, thus becoming asignificant contributor to sustainable development.Israel-India Bilateral RelationsThe bilateral relations between Israel and India have deepened and widened since full diplomaticrelations were established in 1992. The two countries share values, interests and similar challengesin various spheres - from security to food and energy security. Recently, much progress had beenmade on the bilateral level and today, both countries cooperate in various levels and fields suchas political issues, commerce and trade, defense, science and technology, education, development,culture, tourism, agriculture, water and more. In 2012 the State of Israel opened its second consulatein Bangalore, in addition to its Consulate in Mumbai and the Embassy in Delhi, thus making India thirdin the number of Israeli missions globally, after the US and China.

MASHAVIsrael’s Agency for InternationalDevelopment Cooperationhttp://mashav.mfa.gov.ilmashav@haigud.org.ilTel: +972-2-5303220Fax: +972-2-5303727Embassy of Israel New Delhi, Indiahttp:// embassies.gov.il/delhiMashav-asst@newdelhi.mfa.gov.ilMashav-sec@newdelhi.mfa.gov.ilTel: +91-11-30414559; +91-11-30414585Fax: +91-11-30414555Facebook: Israel in IndiaTwitter: IsraelinIndiaConsulate General of Israel – Mumbaiecon@mumbai.mfa.gov.ilpress@mumbai.mfa.gov.ilTel: +91-22-61600500/7Fax: +91-22-61600599Facebook: Israel in MumbaiConsulate of Israel – Bangaloreinfo@bangalore.mfa.gov.ilTel: +91-80-49406500Fax: +91-80-49406555Facebook: Israel in BangaloreProduction: Haigud Society for Transfer of Technology • Graphic design: Yuval Tal Ltd.