Assam Embraces Israeli Agricultural Technology with New Centre of Excellence
In a significant boost to agricultural modernization in Northeast India, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project at Khetri near Guwahati on Monday.
The ceremony marked the official opening of this advanced farming facility that combines Israel's renowned agricultural technology with Assam's fertile landscape, creating a model for future farming initiatives in the region.
World-Class Infrastructure Spanning 66 Bighas
The state-of-the-art facility spreads across 66 bighas of land and features cutting-edge agricultural infrastructure designed to maximize productivity and efficiency. The centrepiece is a massive 1,200 square meter fan-pad greenhouse equipped with advanced climate and humidity control systems that create optimal growing conditions regardless of external weather patterns.
The facility incorporates revolutionary soil-less cultivation technology and a sophisticated boom irrigation mechanism that ensures precise water distribution. This advanced setup enables the centre to produce an impressive 4.5 lakh high-value vegetable seedlings during each production cycle, significantly enhancing the region's agricultural output.
The project received substantial financial backing with the Centre allocating Rs 5.84 crore during the 2020-21 fiscal year, demonstrating the government's commitment to agricultural innovation.
Transforming Farmer Education and Distribution
Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that the facility will provide continuous training programs for both agricultural scientists and farmers, creating a knowledge hub that will transform farming practices across the state. The centre has already made significant progress in this direction.
Approximately 600 farmers have received training at the centre since its establishment, gaining expertise in modern agricultural techniques that can increase their productivity and income. The facility has already produced more than 7 lakh seedlings that have been distributed free of cost to farmers across nine districts of Assam, providing immediate benefits to the agricultural community.
This initiative represents a major step forward in the state's agricultural development strategy, combining international expertise with local needs to create sustainable farming solutions that can withstand the challenges of modern agriculture while maximizing the potential of Assam's rich natural resources.
