Punjab’s Minister of Horticulture, Chetan Singh Jaudamajra, held discussions today with a high-level delegation from Israel to explore mutual cooperation in advancing agricultural technologies in the state.
Emphasizing the need for a digital revolution in farming based on the existing partnership in horticulture projects, the meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat delved into innovative practices to address the swiftly depleting groundwater.
During the meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Minister Jaudamajra underscored the urgency of preserving rapidly depleting groundwater in the state. He sought Israeli assistance in introducing crop varieties that yield more with less water and are resilient to diseases and viruses.
The Minister also advocated for the development of technology for the immediate marketing of all citrus fruits, ensuring effective processing from the field to the market. Minister Jaudamajra illuminated key areas for collaboration, including the eradication of pests, the development of digital field management for climate and soil monitoring, artificial intelligence for crop yield prediction, utilization of drones for harvesting and spraying, and the creation of software solutions for standardized farming practices.
Highlighting the importance of enhanced practices in lemon cultivation, the Minister proposed the integration of biodegradable and slow-release fertilizer technologies to manage organic residues effectively. He emphasized the need to explore new patented varieties of citrus fruits, resistive rootstock against pests and diseases, and the cultivation of novel crops like dragon fruit and raspberries.
Minister Jaudamajra urged for the implementation of bio-pesticides in agriculture, especially in the cultivation of vegetables, to address pests and diseases effectively. He also suggested incorporating sensor-based technologies immediately to identify nutritional deficiencies in crops.
Considering future possibilities, the Minister discussed the adoption of global trends in agricultural extension systems and expressed the desire to send a delegation of 10 to 20 officials to Israel for exposure to new and beneficial technologies. Additionally, he advocated the establishment of an Excellence Center in Punjab in collaboration with Israeli expertise to mitigate post-harvest losses after the harvesting of horticultural crops.
Director of the Horticulture Department, Shailendra Kaur, highlighted the collaboration on technology assistance from Israel to establish an Integrated Value Chain Center of Excellence in Punjab.
Mrs. Hadass Bakst, the Political Advisor for Home Affairs at the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, expressed Israel’s readiness to enhance technological collaboration in the fields of agriculture and horticulture. She announced that Israel is already operating two Centers of Excellence in Punjab and will continue to share agricultural technologies with the state.
The meetings are set to continue in February and March to discuss and implement new technological interventions in Punjab’s agricultural practices. The collaboration aims to elevate the standard of living for farmers in the state through innovative and effective farming techniques.