Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a high-level meeting with Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dicter, in New Delhi on April 08, 2025, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector and tackling future food security challenges.
During the meeting held at the International Guest House, National Agricultural Science Complex, both leaders signed the Agriculture Cooperation Agreement and a comprehensive Work Plan aimed at enhancing collaboration in key areas such as soil and water management, agricultural production, post-harvest technology, mechanization, animal husbandry, and R&D.
Highlighting India’s inclusive approach, Chouhan said that India believes in the principles of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah” and “Parhit Saris Dharma Nahi Bhai,” which reflect the country’s commitment to global welfare. He also noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is emerging as the fastest-growing major economy.
Chouhan lauded the contribution of MASHAV in strengthening India-Israel agricultural ties, particularly through the 43 Centers of Excellence (CoEs), of which 35 are already fully operational. He appreciated Israel’s innovative Villages of Excellence (VoE) model, which connects 30 villages to each CoE, as a transformative rural development strategy. The minister extended an invitation to the Israeli delegation to participate in World Food India 2025.
Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dicter stressed the strong bond between the two nations and emphasized the importance of joint initiatives in developing high-yielding seed varieties and agricultural technologies. He added that with the growing threat of climate change, innovation in agriculture is essential to ensure long-term food security.
Both sides agreed to explore the development of a Five-Year Seed Improvement Plan (FYSIP) to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability. They also discussed expanding CoEs, pest management, technology transfer, capacity building, and improving post-harvest processes.
Chouhan underlined the need to ensure that the benefits of advanced agricultural research reach Indian farmers, particularly in the context of a growing population and shrinking landholdings. The Israeli side also showed strong interest in India’s Digital Agriculture Mission, recognizing its role in empowering farmers.
A Joint Working Group is being established to maintain continuous dialogue and implement the agreed roadmap with clear timelines and goals. The discussions also covered market access and reviewed ongoing horticultural collaborations.
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar, Deputy Director General Yakov Poleg, and other senior officials were part of the Israeli delegation. From the Indian side, Secretary DA&FW and DARE Devesh Chaturvedi and senior officials from MEA and the Ministry of Agriculture participated in the discussions. The visit marks Avi Dicter’s first official trip to India in his current role.
