India and Israel Sign Landmark Agriculture Cooperation Agreement to Boost Food Security and Innovation

New Delhi: India and Israel took a major leap forward in agricultural collaboration today with the signing of an Agriculture Cooperation Agreement and Work Plan aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in food security, agricultural innovation, and rural development. The agreement was signed during a high-level meeting held at the International Guest House, National Agricultural Science Complex, in New Delhi, between Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dicter.

The meeting marked Dicter’s first official visit to India in his current capacity and underscored the deepening partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared challenges and opportunities in the agri-food sector.

The newly signed agreement will foster collaboration across a wide range of areas including soil and water management, horticultural and agricultural production, post-harvest processing, agricultural mechanization, animal husbandry, and research and development.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized India’s commitment to inclusive development, quoting the ideals of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah” and “Parhit Saris Dharma Nahi Bhai“. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Highlighting the role of MASHAV, Israel’s international development agency, Shri Chouhan praised the success of the India-Israel Agricultural Work Plans, particularly the 43 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) established across the country, 35 of which are already fully functional. He described the Villages of Excellence (VoE) initiative, which connects 30 villages to each CoE, as a transformative model for rural outreach and agricultural education.

Minister Avi Dicter lauded the robust India-Israel partnership, stating that both countries share not just diplomatic relations but a shared vision for agricultural sustainability. He stressed the importance of innovation in agriculture—especially in the face of climate change—and pointed to collaboration in high-yielding seed varieties and cutting-edge technology as key to securing the future of food systems.

The meeting also saw both sides agree to explore a Five-Year Seed Improvement Plan (FYSIP) to boost productivity and sustainability, alongside deeper cooperation in pest management, post-harvest technology, capacity building, and digital agriculture.

Reiterating India’s global leadership in welfare initiatives, Shri Chouhan extended an invitation to the Israeli delegation to participate in World Food India 2025. He also highlighted how India’s Digital Agriculture Mission is empowering farmers through real-time data and smart farming practices—a model that attracted keen interest from the Israeli side.

The two leaders acknowledged the need for a Joint Working Group to ensure structured progress through well-defined goals and timelines. They also discussed mutual challenges such as land fragmentation and population growth, stressing the urgency to scale up productivity through science-driven approaches.

The meeting included broad-based discussions on market access, horticulture partnerships, and ongoing collaborative projects. From the Israeli side, Ambassador Mr. Reuven Azar and Yakov Poleg, Deputy Director General for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, were part of the delegation.

Representing India were Secretary DA&FW and DARE Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Plant Protection, and Ministry of External Affairs.