In yet another boost to Indo-Israeli ties, a first of its kind Memorandum of Understanding was signed today between MASHAV, Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation and the Government of Haryana for the inauguration of the first Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Animal Husbandry & Dairying at Hisar. The agreement was signed by Mr. Ilan Fluss, Deputy Head of MASHAV and Dr. Mahavir Singh, Principle Secretary, Government of Haryana. The cooperation will include various elements such as demonstration of advanced dairy technologies, capacity building programs and technology transfer. As part of this cooperation, Israel will share its experience and expertise with the government, professionals and farmers of Haryana in order to increase productivity of the local dairy sector.

 

The primary objectives of this agreement includes establishing Model Dairy Farm through introduction, demonstration and transfer of innovative dairy technologies adapted to the local environment of Haryana for achieving an intensive dairy production system matching the international standards in yield as well as quality of milk. Being a model demonstration unit for the farmers in the country, the Centre will perform as a Role Model Dairy Farm that would help to motivate livestock owners and entrepreneurs to adopt newer, economically beneficial technologies and practices through live demonstrations, hands-on trainings, guided tours, professional workshops and capacity building programmes as well as turn towards market-oriented production and marketing.

The centre of excellence would be established in the already existing State Cattle Breeding Project at Government Livestock Farm, Hisar and would extensively use the Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Technology of Israel. Initially customized modern dairy sheds for 110 cows with a potential of expending it to 300 cows, calves barnes, heifer sheds, feed centre, milking parlor, mini dairy plant, class room, visitors' gallery and waste water treatment plant would be established under the project. The centre would import Best Holstein Friesian Germplasm in the form of Frozen Semen, directly from Israel. A nuclear herd would be established to serve as a base for genetic improvement and source of quality germplasm for potential breeders and entrepreneurs. The centre would use Israeli technology for cooling of animals and providing controlled environment to mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress on production performance of animals.

The ceremony was attended by Agriculture Minister of Haryana, Mr. Om Prakash Dhankar; Dr. Mahavir Singh, Principle Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Govt. of Haryana; Mr. Yahel Vilan, Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of Israel to India and Mr. Ilan Fluss, Deputy Head of MASHAV.

 

Israel and India share a long and extensive cooperation in Agriculture and Horticulture. Both countries have signed an Agreement for Agriculture Cooperation in 2006. This evolved into the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project (IIAP), implemented by MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) and MASHAV. Under the current framework of Indo-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Project, Israel has been contributing its best practices and knowledge, and providing capacity building through such professional training programs being conducted both in Israel and in India. To achieve this goal of the cooperation agreement, it was decided to establish 'Agricultural Centers of Excellence' (CoE), funded by both the Federal Government MIDH and by individual state governments, that are also responsible to allocate land and professional manpower. So far, 29 Centres of Excellence in 10 states across India are in various stages of development.

 

During Vibrant Gujarat 2015, India and Israel have signed a joint declaration "the Indo-Israel Agricultural Cooperation Project entering its third phase" in order to extend the existing cooperation. According to this agreement, both countries will establish a 'joint team' to finalise the 'third phase' of the three years action plan (2015-2018) for further strengthening and widening the scope of bilateral agricultural development cooperation.

At the ceremony, Mr. Yahel Vilan said, "We're extremely satisfied to sign this agreement today with the Government of Haryana. India and Israel have very good relations in field of Agriculture. Agriculture is one of the main pillars in our relations which we can do, should do and are doing together. The state of Haryana is in many ways a flagship of our cooperation with India. We're extremely happy that we are starting our first Centre of Excellence in a very important sector – Dairy in Hisar, Haryana. We thank the Haryana Government for their cooperation and look forward to the results not only on paper but also on the ground."

 

Mr. Ilan Fluss, Deputy Head of MASHAV said, "MASHAV, a leader of development cooperation that brings Israeli knowledge, experience and expertise is proud once again to cooperate with India. This agreement that was signed today is another manifestation of the commitment of MASHAV and Government of Israel to the success of Indian agriculture. We're proud to be a partner of this project and ensure it is only a first step in a new long way of partnership."